Ahmad Yerima, a former governor of Zamfara State, has advised President Bola Tinubu that the best way to manage the security issue and end insurgency in the nation is to first engage in negotiation with bandits rather than using military force.
Yerima made the remark today after paying the president a courtesy visit and chatting with State House reporters.
The Federal Government should intervene and start negotiations with the bandits, according to Senator Yerima, who said that the immediate past government failed to do so. If it does so, the country would make significant progress, similar to what was seen with the Niger Delta insurgents.
In addition, he emphasised the accomplishment of late President Musa Yar’Adua’s 2007 negotiations with militants in the Niger Delta region, stating that the result sets a standard for peaceful resolution.
The Senator said that he is not advocating for bandits but maintained that the Federal Government can use resources and political will to start negotiations with the repentant ones. He argued that the challenges of banditry are made worse by the region’s increasing poverty and illiteracy.
The president should step in to resolve the power struggle between Bello Matawalle and current Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, according to Senator Yerima.
Meanwhile, Activist and former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has said that dialogue with bandits cannot end the bloodshed in the Northwest part of the country, citing unsuccessful past attempts as example.
Sani stated this on his verified Twitter handle in reaction to Sani Yerima, a former Zamfara State Governor’s call on the federal government to negotiate with bandits.
