Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has strongly reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering stance against negotiating with bandits, despite recent distortions in the media.
In a statement released on the 11th of February, 2025, by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the governor addressed a misquote stemming from an exclusive BBC Hausa interview over the weekend.
According to the statement, certain media outlets had mistranslated his words, creating a misleading narrative about the government’s position on tackling insecurity.
Setting the record straight, the statement emphasized Governor Lawal’s consistent commitment to an aggressive, full-scale offensive against banditry without any room for dialogue with criminals.
“The issue of banditry has been a major concern for the people of Zamfara State, the Northwest, and the entire country for decades,” the statement noted.
It further highlighted that Governor Lawal, since his campaign before the 2023 elections, has made security his top priority and vowed to take decisive action against the menace.
Reinforcing this stance, the governor’s spokesperson declared, “Governor Dauda Lawal has always maintained that negotiating with bandits is akin to a ‘snipe hunt,’ and this stance remains unchanged.
Negotiations, if ever considered, would only occur from a position of strength, with bandits unconditionally surrendering their arms and repenting.”
The administration remains resolute in its refusal to engage with the terror groups that have plagued Zamfara.
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“No responsible government would negotiate with killers from a position of weakness. Our strategy has been direct confrontation, and the results speak for themselves,” the statement stressed.
Governor Lawal’s office also highlighted the tangible progress made in restoring security, noting a significant reduction in bandit activities and a return to peace in previously volatile areas.
“The strategy we are implementing is yielding remarkable results. Zamfara is now witnessing a decline in bandit activity, and we are seeing a daily reduction in the number of bandits neutralized,” the spokesperson concluded.
With a firm hand and a clear strategy, Governor Lawal’s administration continues to take the fight directly to the criminals, ensuring that Zamfara State remains steadfast in its mission to eradicate banditry.