Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has called on state governments to stop negotiating with bandits, arguing that such talks undermine military efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, Musa said negotiations with bandits are counterproductive because the armed criminals do not fear God and are likely to break any agreements reached with them.
He also claimed that such negotiations damage the morale and effectiveness of security operations.
The defence minister specifically referenced the Katsina State government’s recent move to facilitate the release of 70 suspected bandits, describing the action as a mistake that could encourage further violence.
Katsina authorities had justified the release as part of community-driven peace agreements with “repentant bandits” in several local government areas. The state government described the initiative as essential to consolidating peace and reducing attacks.
However, Musa said the federal government had warned Katsina against the plan.
“Negotiation with bandits is not a way out,” he said in Hausa. “Those people are not real. Whenever they come for reconciliation, they need something.”
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He added: “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.”
Musa argued that bandits will always return to criminal activity after being released.
“It’s not right and they will surely come back again. They don’t fear God,” he said. “We already informed them it damages our work. We asked them to stop.”
The minister acknowledged that Nigeria is a democracy and not a military regime, but said the military continues to engage with state governments to address security challenges.
“We are in talk with them,” Musa said, referring to state authorities.
He also denied allegations that the federal government pays ransom to kidnappers, calling the practice unacceptable.
“Paying ransom is not good. People should stop paying ransom when they kidnap people,” he said. “Report should be made and actions will be taken.”
“The federal government doesn’t pay for ransom. It might be other people and they are doing that on their own.”
Musa’s comments come amid ongoing debates about the best approach to combating banditry and kidnapping in northern Nigeria.
While some states have pursued negotiation and amnesty arrangements with bandits, security experts and federal authorities have repeatedly warned that such deals may encourage further attacks and weaken military operations.
The federal government’s stance is now likely to increase pressure on states to align with national security strategies, even as local communities push for peace through reconciliation and community-based agreements.