The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has cautioned state governments against engaging in negotiations with bandits, stressing that such actions weaken ongoing military operations.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, Musa said criminal groups cannot be relied upon to honour agreements, noting that bandits often violate any deals reached with them.
He also disclosed that the federal government had cautioned the Katsina State Government over its recent move to release 70 suspected bandits from detention.
The Katsina government had defended the move as necessary for strengthening community-led peace agreements with “repentant bandits” in several local government areas.
“Negotiation with bandits is not a way out, those people are not real, whenever they come for reconciliation, they need something,” Musa spoke in Hausa language.
“What’s happening in Katsina we told them, don’t ever make the mistake of reconciling with those people, they are liars.
“We begged people to stop negotiating with them and the government should stop. It’s not right and they will surely come back again. They don’t fear God.
“We already informed them it damages our work, we asked them to stop, you know it’s democracy now not military rule. But we are in talk with them.”
The defence minister dismissed claims that the federal government pays ransom to kidnappers.
He said paying ransom is wrong and urged Nigerians to report kidnapping cases to the authorities instead of negotiating with criminals.
“Paying ransom is not good. People should stop paying ransom when they kidnap people. Report should be made and actions will be taken.”
“Federal government doesn’t pay for ransom. It might be other people and they are doing that on their own.”