General Christopher Musa Issues Stern Warning To State-governors Over Bandits 

The minister of defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd) has issued stern warning to state-governors, urging them to desist from negotiating with bándits and other crîminals groups.

General Musa made the remark while speaking to BBC Hausa, stating that state-governors entering into negotiations with criminal groups is inimical to the nation’s security and sabotages the commitment towards fighting insecurity in the country. He described the act as counterproductive and warned that criminal groups must be routed through military confrontation rather than negotiation.

He explained further that when bàndits are pacified through negotiations and ransom payments, they become emboldened and more dangerous; hence, the need for the  act to stop. He added that the state-governors must not take the law into their hands by choosing to negotiate with criminal groups or pay ransom to them.

“The Federal Government’s position is clear. There would be no negotiated settlements, no ransom payments, and no legitimisation of armed groups terrorising communities,” he stated

The minister thereafter enjoined  state-governors of the federation to align with the federal government in its security plan and commitment to fighting insecurity, emphasizing that military pressure through intelligent operation and community corporation will result in the defeat of such groups.

General Musa’s warning to state-governors comes in the face of the public outcry against alleged initiative by the Katsina state government to free about 70 convicted bàndits as part of peace deal with bàndits terrórizing the state.