Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has distanced his administration from an unauthorised peace mission embarked upon by 50 elderly residents of Magamin Diddi village in Maradun Local Government Area of the state, who were abducted after visiting a bandits’ camp for negotiations.
The elders were said to have voluntarily visited the camp of a notorious bandit kingpin identified as Jammo, who reportedly controls the Muntsira Forest, in an attempt to secure a peace arrangement that would allow members of their communities to safely access their farmlands during the farming season.
However, the peace overture reportedly ended in tragedy after the bandits rejected the mission and took all 50 delegates hostage.
The incident has generated mixed reactions in Zamfara State, with some residents criticising the continued detention of the elders and accusing the state government of failing to do enough to secure their release.
Reacting to the development during an interview with BBC Hausa, Governor Lawal condemned the action of the bandits but also criticised the elders for embarking on what he described as a dangerous and unauthorised mission without informing the government.
“They did not inform the authority before embarking on such dangerous step they have taken,” the governor said, adding that “they are on their own.”
Lawal questioned why anyone would take it upon themselves to negotiate with terrorists without the approval of the government.
“As I said, who sent them to negotiate? It certainly was not the government. We have consistently stated that we do not support negotiations with terrorists,” he said.
“I heard the reports, but I do not even know who those individuals are.”
The governor said his administration was investigating the matter, but maintained that it was wrong for individuals or communities to initiate talks with bandits when the state government had clearly rejected that option.
He reiterated that since assuming office, his position has remained firm: the Zamfara State Government will not negotiate with terrorists.
“From the outset, my position has been clear: I will not negotiate with terrorists. That remains my position today. I do not see why anyone would take it upon themselves to negotiate with criminals. That is not my policy, nor will it ever be,” Lawal said.
The governor argued that previous administrations in Zamfara had adopted reconciliation and negotiation strategies with bandits without achieving lasting peace.
Lawal maintained that his administration would continue to confront bandits until they surrender, rather than legitimise their activities through dialogue.
Lawal maintained that his administration would continue to confront bandits until they surrender, rather than legitimise their activities through dialogue.
Despite criticisms from some residents who believe dialogue could help reduce killings and kidnappings, the governor insisted that negotiating with armed groups would not end insecurity.
He said the security measures adopted by his administration were yielding results, although he admitted that the state had not achieved total victory over banditry.
“Very much so. I am not saying we have achieved 100 percent success, but there has been progress. As governor, my responsibility is to protect lives and property,” he said.
Lawal also linked the relative improvement in security to increased agricultural production in the state, saying farmers were able to record better output last year because of the gains made in security operations.
“If you look at agricultural production in Zamfara last year, it was unprecedented in recent times, and that was made possible by the relative improvement in security,” he said.