Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has reaffirmed the state government’s claim that it possesses concrete evidence exposing federal government agents involved in secret negotiations with bandits. This comes after the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, accused the Zamfara State government of politicizing security.
In response, the spokesperson for Governor Lawal, Sulaiman Bala Idris, emphasized that the state government had sought clarification regarding the clandestine talks carried out by federal government agents without involving the state government and heads of security agencies. The statement further highlights the disappointment in the information minister for discrediting their claims without conducting a thorough investigation.
According to the statement, the Zamfara State government possesses facts and evidence of the negotiations that took place in various locations within the state. However, in adhering to protocol and established authority, the government has refrained from disclosing the identities of the federal government agents involved in the covert dialogue.
The statement also refutes the notion that the state government is politicizing insecurity, asserting that it is those leading the secret negotiations with bandits who are guilty of this. The government challenges the information minister’s claim that there were no negotiations, stating that they have already exposed the locations where talks with bandits occurred, including Birnin Magaji, Maradun, Mun Haye, Ajah, Bawo, and Bagege.
In conclusion, the Zamfara State government emphasizes that negotiating with bandits in the state is a grave mistake that must be avoided. They believe it is not a solution to the problem but rather encourages and emboldens the criminals. The government urges the federal government to take a firm stance against such activities and investigate the motives of those involved.
