- Defence Minister Christopher Musa has warned states against negotiating with bandits, saying peace deals only strengthen criminals and worsen insecurity.
- He stressed that military pressure and intelligence-led operations remain the best solution.
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd.), has cautioned state governments against entering into any form of peace deals with bandits, describing such moves as risky and harmful to national security.
Speaking during an interview on BBC Hausa, Musa said the Federal Government has repeatedly advised all tiers of government not to negotiate with armed criminal groups. According to him, bandits cannot be trusted to keep agreements, and engaging them only worsens insecurity.
He warned that negotiations embolden criminal networks, weaken ongoing military operations, and prolong violence across affected communities.
“The Federal Government’s position is clear. There will be no negotiated settlements, no ransom payments, and no legitimisation of armed groups terrorising communities,” Musa said.
The defence minister urged state governors to align with the federal security strategy, stressing that sustained military action, intelligence-driven operations, and community cooperation remain the most effective ways to restore peace.
His remarks come amid public outrage over reports of state-led peace initiatives and plans to release suspected bandits, actions critics argue undermine justice and demoralise security agencies.
Musa also appealed to citizens to stop supporting bandits with food, money, or information, warning that such assistance fuels violence and delays national stability.
Leave a Reply