Sani Yerima, a former governor of Zamfara, has fervently advocated for President Bola Tinubu to adopt a path of dialogue with bandits, drawing experience from the remarkable efforts made by the late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in resolving the Niger Delta militancy crisis.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa on Saturday, Yerima voiced this opinion.
His words: ‘I’m advising the government to, first of all, find time to sit with these bandits, just like they sat with Niger Delta militants in the past. Because a majority of them are Nigerians, even though there are some foreigners among them.’
‘But Nigerians among them can be convinced, as the Niger Delta militants were convinced and empowered to stop.’
‘if that fails, then the government can use force on them wherever they are,’ Yerima added.
Read also: Bandits Attack Police Officers In Zamfara, Seize Phones
Yerima’s insistence on the necessity of dialogue with bandits comes at a critical juncture when the nation grapples with an upsurge in indiscriminate killings and the abduction of individuals for ransom.
Furthermore, the former governor of Zamfara shed light on the fact that while Nigeria is plagued by banditry, it is not limited to domestic actors, as there are also foreign perpetrators involved.
It is worth noting that 23 years ago, Yerima championed the adoption of sharia law in Zamfara state.
Yerima’s administration witnessed an event in 2000 when a Zamfara Sharia Court ruling ordered the amputation of Bello Buba Jangebe’s limb as punishment for stealing a cow.
Likewise, in 2001, Lawali Isa underwent the punishment of having his wrist severed after being found guilty of bicycle theft.
As the nation faces this multifaceted challenge, the call for a comprehensive approach continues to resonate. Whether through dialogue or force, the urgency to restore security and safeguard the lives of Nigerians remains a paramount concern for the government and its citizens alike.
Yerima’s proposition sparked a heated debate among Nigerians, with critics arguing that negotiating with criminals sets a dangerous precedent.