Defence Minister warns states against negotiating with bandits, urging unity, intelligence-led operations, and citizen cooperation to restore security nationwide.
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has issued a strong warning to all state governments against engaging in any peace deal with bandits, describing such initiatives as dangerous and counterproductive to national security.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Musa stressed that the Federal Government has consistently advised every level of government to refrain from negotiating with armed criminal groups operating across the country.
According to General Musa, bandits cannot be trusted to honour any agreement. He described any attempt at negotiation as a direct threat to national stability and the safety of citizens.
“The Federal Government’s position is clear. There will be no negotiated settlements, no ransom payments, and no legitimisation of armed groups terrorising communities,” the minister said.
The Defence Minister explained that pursuing peace deals with bandits only emboldens criminal networks.
Such attempts weaken ongoing military operations, reduce morale among security personnel, and ultimately prolong the insecurity affecting communities.
He warned that any state-level initiative to engage bandits independently risks undermining justice and sending the wrong message to criminal elements.
Musa specifically urged state governments to align their policies and actions with the federal security strategy.
“Sustained military pressure, intelligence-led operations, and community cooperation remain the only viable pathways to restoring peace,” he stated.
According to him, coordinated operations between federal and state forces, combined with active support from local communities, have proven effective in reducing criminal activities and securing affected areas.
The warning from the Defence Minister comes at a time when reports emerged of some states considering independent peace initiatives and the possible release of suspected bandits.
These developments have sparked public outrage, with critics arguing that such actions could compromise national security, demoralize security forces, and encourage further criminality.
Musa condemned these measures, emphasizing that the security of citizens must not be compromised for short-term appeasement.
In addition to addressing state authorities, General Musa appealed to citizens to refrain from assisting bandits in any form.
He urged people not to provide food, money, shelter, or intelligence to armed criminals, warning that such support directly fuels violence and delays the restoration of law and order.
“Communities must remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies to ensure that bandits do not continue to terrorize innocent citizens,” Musa added.
The Defence Minister highlighted that intelligence-led operations are central to the government’s approach to tackling banditry.
By leveraging accurate information and coordinating with state authorities, military and police forces can disrupt criminal networks, dismantle hideouts, and reduce attacks on communities.
Musa reiterated that these operations, combined with persistent pressure on criminal elements, remain the most reliable method for achieving long-term security.
Musa also addressed the role of leadership within states, stressing that governors must demonstrate commitment to the federal security strategy.
He noted that inconsistent or unilateral actions by state governments risk weakening the overall security framework, giving bandits opportunities to exploit gaps and escalate attacks.
“Governors must prioritize collective security measures over individual negotiations with bandits,” he said, emphasizing the importance of unity in the fight against armed groups.
The minister’s warnings come amid growing concerns about the rising rate of banditry, kidnappings, and violent attacks on communities in several regions.
Experts say that while local initiatives aimed at dialogue may seem appealing, they often backfire, giving criminals undue legitimacy and emboldening their operations.
By contrast, a coordinated national approach, supported by intelligence gathering and citizen cooperation, has shown measurable results in curbing bandit activities.
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