…Say President Tinubu should seek international cooperation in addressing insecurity in Nigeria.
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Residents of Birnin Gwari under the auspices of Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives’ Union (BEPU) of Birnin Gwari Local government area of Kaduna State have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to disregard calls by the former governor of Zamfara State, Senator Ahmed Sani Yeriman Bakura over negotiation with bandits.
The people argued that negotiating with bandits would amount to granting legitimacy to criminal elements in the country.
Senator Bakura had earlier in BBC Hausa Service interview called on governors in the North West to dialogue with bandits, just as he granted interview to Reporters in the Villa on Monday, shortly after meeting with President Tinubu, urging him to grant amnesty to bandits terrorising the region as it was done to Niger Delta militants during late President Umar Yar’Adua’s government.
However, in a press statement on Tuesday, Chairman of BEPU, Ishaq Usman Kasai described such calls as a “reflection of lack of understanding of the structural formation and divergent goals of the armed bandits in our forests who have been causing mass destruction, death, and destabilisation within the country”.
BEPU leader further noted that there are different bandits groups who want to be respectively recognised by government in the negotiation, adding that government may end up negotiating with wrong groups, instead of the actual bandits which will amount to waste of time and resources.
The Union posited that, to successfully bring an end to armed banditry business in Nigeria, all bandits’ camps in various forests must be dislodged; as anything short of this will only be a window-addressing, and not a lasting solution.
“Engaging in negotiations with armed bandits will never yield significant positive outcomes because past experiences have demonstrated that criminal elements such as armed bandits, often exploit negotiations as a means to buy time, regroup, and strengthen their positions. They view negotiations as a sign of weakness of Government, which emboldens them to continue their violent activities.
“We recall that many of such negotiations were carried out with bandits by many State and Local Governments and individual Communities in the Northwest region of the Country. Past experiences from areas where this type of negotiation was carried out show that the Bandits only exploited the opportunity to receive more money, easily trafficked illicit drugs, acquired more arms and raped women including teenagers and married ones. In fact, all the Communities and Governments that entered such negotiations with the Bandits have later regretted it.
”Therefore we want to draw the attention of Mr President to the fact that, going for such negotiation will bring setback and distraction in his administration perceived determination to bring lasting solution to the insecurity situation bedeviling Nigeria. Negotiating with the bandits will also send a dangerous message to Nigerians particularly rural dwellers signaling Government’s incapacity, weakness and official acknowledgement of parallel Governments within the Nigerian State.
“The Zamfara State Government then under Governor Abdulaziz Yari agreed that, for the peace deal to be perfected, the Bandits must surrender their arms and never invade or attack any person or Community. To ensure commitment to the peace deal, we are aware that, five Solar Boreholes were constructed by Government for the Fulanis in Subulu, Fakai, Maniya, Gangara and Manawa villages in Shinkafi LGA with artificial ponds for feeding livestock.
“This was to show the bandits sincerity of purpose and commitment of Government toward respecting the terms of agreement. Huge amount of money was also alleged to have been given to appease the Bandits to drop arms and accept peace deals. This is in addition to other property.
“The Zamfara State Government then also hatched a concept of establishment of Ruga communities within the State for Nomads with first Ruga project at Maradun Local Government Area which was almost completed. So much resources have been spent to that regard; but the Bandits didn’t respect the deal thinking they are doing the Government and the people favour.
“We want Mr President to be aware that, even in Zamfara State, where the negotiation was tried in 2016, it has failed. We have seen how the primary victims of Banditry in large numbers invaded and vandalized the Shinkafi Emirate Palace and the houses and industries (a block industry and pure water making factory) of two of the members of the Reconciliatory Committee whom were also special adviser to the Governor on security then over what the victims termed as connivance with the Bandits. Some of the Bandits leaders who dropped arms and received monies from Government used it to purchase additional arms.
“Negotiating with armed bandits in Nigeria will continue to fail because the bandits lack Central command/leadership and common goal. It will be difficult to bring them to common negotiation and the agreements made with one group are or may not be binding on others. Federal Government can only negotiate and sign a peace deal with segment of Bandits but not all; and those who agreed with the Government would have no power to direct or instruct other bands of criminals who are not under their control.
“There are different bandits groups and leaders and each of the groups will want to be recognized by Government in the negotiation. Another problem is that Government may even end up negotiating with wrong groups or people who may only want gain financial or political advantage, instead of the actual bandits which will amount to waste of time and resources.
“Therefore, negotiations are likely to be futile, as the armed bandits have repeatedly demonstrated their lack of commitment to peace agreements. Just like Senator Shehu Sani observed recently, such negotiations would imply that the government is unable to maintain law and order, eroding public confidence and potentially encouraging other criminal elements to exploit the situation.
“Rather than negotiating with armed bandits, President Tinubu should seek international cooperation and support in addressing the security challenges faced by Nigeria. Collaborating with neighboring countries, regional organizations, and international partners can facilitate information sharing, intelligence gathering, and the implementation of coordinated strategies to combat insecurity in the Nigeria’s territory.
“BEPU is confidence that, the Nigerian security forces possess the necessary training, intelligence, and resources to combat armed banditry and terrorism effectively. Security forces should ensure coordinated operations and station troops across strategic axis and boundaries of States of North West including Kaduna, Zamfara, Niger, Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi among others. They should go on by taking the fight to forest in these areas and dislodge the terrorist hideouts.
“There would be no better time than now. By allowing the security forces to take decisive action, President Tinubu would demonstrate a commitment to protecting the lives and property of Nigerian citizens.
“We want to acknowledge that we are seeing improvement in the area of security operations in our area. We thank Mr. President and our gallant security forces and hope the operation will continue without distraction until peace is finally restored in our land”. The statement said.