Governor Lawal reaffirms no-deal vow with bandits in Zamfara

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has reiterated his administration’s firm stance against negotiating with bandits operating in the state.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bal Idris, clarified that Lawal had been misquoted in an exclusive interview with the BBC Hausa Service over the weekend. He accused certain media platforms of deliberately misinterpreting the Governor’s remarks to mislead the public on the state government’s position.

According to the statement, the issue of banditry has remained a major concern not only for Zamfara but for the entire Northwest and the country at large. Governor Lawal had made security a central theme of his campaign before the 2023 general elections, pledging to prioritise efforts to tackle the menace.

The statement further reaffirmed that the Governor had been consistent in his position, insisting that negotiating with bandits amounted to a futile exercise. From the outset, Lawal has maintained that no responsible government should engage in negotiations with killers from a position of weakness, asserting that any potential dialogue must be approached from a position of strength.

Clarifying the Governor’s comments in the BBC Hausa interview, Idris emphasised that Lawal’s position had not changed. He maintained that any negotiation with the bandits could only be considered if they unconditionally surrendered their weapons and renounced criminal activities.

The statement also highlighted the effectiveness of the administration’s security strategy, noting that significant progress had been recorded in restoring peace to previously volatile areas of the state. It asserted that the government’s efforts had yielded tangible results, with many bandits being neutralised in ongoing security operations.

Governor Lawal’s firm stance comes amid increasing pressure on state governments to adopt varying approaches in addressing insecurity, with some advocating dialogue while others, like Zamfara, pursue a no-compromise policy against criminal elements.