There have been reactions in Zamfara State over the resolution of northern governors not to negotiate with bandits.
Many say the resolution, which contradicts Governor Matawalle’s negotiating with bandits stance is the reason over 300 schoolgirls in Jangebe, were abducted recently.
Many are of the opinion that the constitution of Nigeria does not in any way empower governors to grant amnesty to bandits except if done by the federal government.
They also claim the bandits are making millions of naira as a result of the peace accord and reconciliation initiative in Zamfara, a situation that has created a booming business for criminals in the state.
According to a public commentator, Alhaji Ahmed Bakare, the business of bandits surrendering a portion of their weapons to the state government and earning millions without working for it seems to be out of sights considering the decision of the northern governors to stop dialogues with bandits.
‘They only surrender the outdated weapons to get more millions and purchase more sophisticated ones with the millions they get from the state government while the banditry activities continue unabated’
‘Frankly speaking, no bandit would be in possession of three AK 47 rifles and agree to surrender the three AK47 rifles to the government, knowing fully well that unrepentant bandits would be against his life’ he lamented.
Bakare noted that if the so-called repentant bandits that have surrendered their weapons are sincere and honest, Zamfara State would not have remained a colony of banditry, saying that the bandits still have a hidden agenda.
‘There is no way anybody can make peace with criminals and hope to succeed because these people are deadly’
The public commentator said the government of Zamfara State may not be happy with the decision of the northern governors’ forum, because it believes that the peace accord with bandits would end their violent activities in the state.
‘The Zamfara government claims there is peace in the state and the same government runs to Abuja to beg the president to deplore more military personnel to the state. Who is fooling who? he asked.’
‘The state government claims that it has restored peace in the state yet wanton killings, kidnappings and destruction of properties continue in the state unabated. Then what is the essence of the dialogue with bandits’
Commenting, Alhaji Umaru Musa lamented that begging bandits and kidnappers to cease-fire means that the bandits are more powerful than the government, stressing that no individual is more powerful than the government unless the government is not willing to act.
He said that by implementing negotiation and dialogue, the government is telling Nigerians that the bandits are more powerful than the military and other security agencies put together.
According to him, the military and security agencies are capable of crushing and silencing bandits no matter how strong their formation maybe.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK