Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has urged state governments and communities to stop negotiating with bandits.
Musa, who spoke in an interview with BBC Hausa, said negotiating with bandits hampers the operations of the military.
The defence minister said bandits do not fear God and cannot be trusted. He stated that the terrorists only want something whenever they suggest to dialogue with communities.
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The defence minister said the Katsina government was warned on its recent move to facilitate the release of 70 suspected bandits in custody.
The Katsina government had described move as essential to consolidating community-driven peace agreements with “repentant bandits” in several LGAs.
“Negotiation with bandits is not a way out, those people are not real, whenever they come for reconciliation, they need something,” Musa spoke in Hausa language.
“What’s happening in Katsina we told them, don’t ever make the mistake of reconciling with those people, they are liars.
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“We begged people to stop negotiating with them and the government should stop. It’s not right and they will surely come back again. They don’t fear God.
“We already informed them it damages our work, we asked them to stop, you know it’s democracy now not military rule. But we are in talk with them.”
The defence minister refuted claim that the federal government pays ransom to kidnappers.
“Paying ransom is not good. People should stop paying ransom when they kidnap people. Report should be made and actions will be taken.”
“Federal government doesn’t pay for ransom. It might be other people and they are doing that on their own.”
