As the Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umar Radda, announced that his government has entered into negotiations with bandits terrorising some communities in parts of the State, the Northern Elders Progressive Group has called on other Governors especially in the North West region to embrace the move.
The Northern group tasked all Northern Governors to cooperate with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and other security agencies towards pursuing dialogue with bandits as a means of ending the cycle of violence.
Governor Radda, who at a different occasions distanced his administration from any negotiation with bandits in the State, however admitted that the truce with the terror merchants has restored stability in already four established truce frontline Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Jibia, Batsari, Danmusa, and Kurfi that have so far struck a peace deal with the bandits.
Radda, who spoke while unveiling an 18-month European Union-funded project, ‘Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience (CPCRR)’ in Katsina, noted that negotiations were ongoing in two additional two frontline LGAs of the State for a truce.
The CPCRR project is being implemented by the International Organisation for Migration IOM) in collaboration with the Centre for Democracy and Development and Mercy Corps in Katsina and Zamfara States towards fostering peace and socio-economic stability.
However, Radda stated that “this project is not a top-down intervention. It is community-owned, locally-led and culturally sensitive. From the onset, we have ensured that community voices, especially those of women, youths and persons with disabilities, are central to planning and implementation. So, the state government has already gone far in this.
“I can assure you that due to this locally made community peace initiative, we are able to resolve crises in four of our frontline local governments out of the eight that we already have, and negotiation is going on in two additional frontline local governments.”
Meanwhile, speaking in Kaduna on Tuesday, Coordinator of the Northern group, Yusuf Abubakar, said they were encouraged by the efforts of the NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and other stakeholders currently exploring non-kinetic measures to restore peace in the North West.
“We are happy with the steps being taken so far. Travelling recently from Sokoto to Gusau, and from Funtua to Zaria, I observed a more peaceful atmosphere. Compared to before, there is improvement in security, in patrols, and in the safety of commuters along that road.”
He urged governors to embrace dialogue as a better alternative to condolence visits and repeated military operations that overstretch security forces.
“It is better for a governor to spend his resources on saving lives than spending billions on condolence. One life is far more important than any political gesture.”
Responding to critics, who argue against negotiation, the group maintained that dialogue had been a tested option in other conflict-ridden countries.
“Even powerful nations have negotiated with groups like the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and the Houthis. Negotiation is not weakness; it is about saving lives,” he explained.
He condemned some governors who claim to possess intelligence on the movements of bandits but fail to share such information with security agencies.
“It is unbecoming of a leader to say he knows the movements of criminals but does nothing with the information. Such propaganda is irresponsible,” he said.
He also defended the role of the NSA and members of the committee handling the process, warning against attempts to politicise or ridicule their work.
“The office of the National Security Adviser represents unity, peace and security for the country. Attacking it is an attempt to destabilise the whole nation,” he added.
The group also commended the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Intelligence, Shehu Buba, and his team of eminent Nigerians, who have been working hard to ensure that peace returns to the region.
“Shehu Buba, chairman of the Senate Committee on Intelligence, who has worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the ongoing dialogue, deserves commendation and not attacks. Their real target is the laudable initiative of the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
“Every good and responsible northerner should welcome any genuine effort aimed at ending the bloodshed and incessant attacks by bandits and other agents of disunity,” he said.
The group, therefore, urged governors across the North West to work in synergy with the NSA, the Minister of Defence, and the Service Chiefs to ensure the peace initiative succeeds.
