Insecurity: CAN Speaks On FG Negotiating With Terrorists, Bandits

The Federal Government has been sternly warned against negotiating with bandits and terrorists or granting them amnesty.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), who gave the warning, said if the federal government has run out of strength to fight terrorism and insecurity in the country, it should seek help from outside rather than negotiate with terrorists and bandits.

The association’s North-West Zone Secretary, Sunday Oibe, asserted that there is nothing like unknown gunmen, bandits, and the like because the successive government knows them even more likely to want to negotiate with them.

The CAN scribe was reacting to the allegation made by the Zamfara State government that the federal government was negotiating with bandits, and it had evidence to prove it.

Oibe told The Punch on Sunday that it was rather unfortunate that some federal government officials might be in talks with these terrorists, noting that it was not fair to the rest of Nigerians.

He said, “It’s shameful and disgusting for the Nigerian state to keep doing this to us as a people. We have been hearing the expression, ‘unknown gunmen’ did this and that, over and over again. Suddenly, the unknown gunmen are now known to the point that the federal might is even allowing some of its officials to enter into negotiation with the bandits.

“As long as we keep living in denial, this problem shall remain unsolved. There’s nothing like bandits or unknown gunmen. This is an organised crime against the rest of us that are helpless. The successive governments know them, hire them, empower them, and are using them against the rest of us.

“Are we saying that the Nigerian state is so helpless to win the war against these enemies of the state? If we as a nation have become so helpless, let us stomach our pride by seeking help elsewhere. This war must stop, and the time is now. Personally, I don’t subscribe to the idea of negotiating with criminals and the enemies of the state. The government knows what to do and should stop playing games.

“Negotiation is not the answer. Rather, demonstration of political will to root out these criminals from the very root is the solution.”