Security analyst and Chief Executive Officer of Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, Kabir Adamu, has claimed that elements within the federal and some state governments are encouraging communities affected by insecurity to negotiate directly with bandits.
Speaking on ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, June 9, Adamu said there is growing evidence that several peace arrangements between local communities and armed groups in the North-West may have been carried out with some level of official awareness or backing.
“I would also add that at least we know part of the federal government, and to an extent, some state governments, are encouraging communities to negotiate with these non-state armed groups,” he alleged.
He pointed to Katsina, Kaduna and Zamfara States as examples, arguing that such informal peace pacts often carry state involvement or approval in some form.
“In neighboring Katsina, there is enough evidence to show that the Sulhu, which is the negotiation sort of pact between the communities and the non-state armed groups, there, the bandits, had some element of state sanction. In Zamfara State.
“The point I’m trying to make is that there is evidence in both Katsina, Kaduna, and most likely Zamfara State, that this type of peace pact has some knowledge, as it were, of the government,” he said.
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Adamu, however, dismissed the idea that authorities are unaware of bandit locations, insisting intelligence exists but operational complexity limits response.
“Let’s not build a premise on a sort of wrong assumption. And that is the fact that the state does not know where the bandits are. I think there is enough evidence to show that the state knows where the bandits are.
“They are not going there perhaps because of the complexity of the issue itself,” he explained.
He warned that poorly managed negotiations without disarmament can worsen insecurity, saying criminal groups often retain weapons and continue attacks despite peace deals.
Adamu also referenced existing security frameworks like Nigeria’s Kidnap Fusion Centre, noting that it is still developing and requires strengthening.
On state policing, he said political momentum now appears to favour its adoption but stressed the need for safeguards against abuse by governors.
He also supported the proposed Forest Guard initiative, describing it as a useful but limited addition to Nigeria’s security architecture.
Adamu concluded by noting continued US security support and urged Nigeria to carefully study international reports on insecurity and possible policy responses.