Zamfara: FG denies negotiating with terrorists, slams Gov Dauda

The federal government has denied reports alleging that it is negotiating with notorious bandits and other terrorists wreaking havoc in Zamafara State.

Newspot had reported that the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, accused the FG of engaging in negotiations with terrorists in some local government areas of the state without his knowledge.

The governor in a statement issued by his media aide, Sulaiman Idris, asked the FG to clarify the allegation and investigate the actions of some unscrupulous elements sabotaging the ongoing fight against banditry in the state.

Reacting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, denied the allegations, saying the Zamfara governor should rather appreciate the efforts of “security agents and FG institutions to rescue the abducted students of the Federal University Gusau, chose to play politics with the sensitive matter for cheap political goals.”

In a statement issued on Monday night by Suleiman Haruna Deputy Director, Press, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the Minister lamented that the security situation in Zamfara State was being politicised.

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The statement reads, “The minister observes that federal government institutions are empowered by law to spring to action, with or without prompting, to ensure the safe return of citizens illegally taken hostage, like in the case of these hapless students.

“The fact that details of such delicate operations are not revealed by the institutions responsible does not make it in any way surreptitious, as the Zamfara State Government atrociously described this effort.

“The minister states, for the avoidance of doubt, that no official of the federal government is engaged in negotiation with any bandit or group of bandits.

“The government, however, maintains its resolve to explore every available avenue that can lead to de-escalation of tension and bring back peace to communities ravaged by banditry.

“However, if communities decide to borrow a leaf from what has helped quench unrest in other parts of the country to engage themselves in dialogue, the federal government would not be in a haste to condemn such people-driven initiative.

“The minister assures Nigerians that the federal government and its institutions are working assiduously to turn around the current situation and bring an end to the ebbing cases of banditry, kidnapping and all forms of criminality.

“Political differences or personal fight with anybody should not be brought into the serious matter of national security to avoid demoralising our troops or and derailing government’s effort.

“Finally, the minister maintains that the federal government is willing to listen and continue its ongoing engagement with all stakeholders across the country in working out a lasting solution to our security problems. We urge all to put hands on deck with us.”