Nigeria’s Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa (retd), has cautioned state governments against negotiating with bandits, saying such actions are weakening efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.
He spoke during an interview with BBC Hausa, where he said discussions with armed groups often disrupt military operations and give criminals room to regroup and strike again.
According to him, bandits are not trustworthy and usually approach talks only when it suits them. He said many agreements reached in the past were broken, adding that these groups often return to violence after making promises.
The minister pointed to experiences in states like Katsina, where authorities were advised not to pursue reconciliation with bandits. He said repeated warnings were ignored, and the outcome showed that dialogue with such groups does not bring lasting peace.
Musa also addressed claims about ransom payments, insisting that the federal government does not pay kidnappers. He urged citizens to stop paying ransom and instead report incidents to security agencies, assuring that action would be taken.
