Zamfara Government Rules Out Negotiations with Bandits, Promises Sustained Military Action

The Zamfara State Government has reiterated its firm stance against negotiating with criminal elements, vowing to intensify military operations until banditry is fully eradicated across the state.

The declaration was made on Sunday by Mukhtar Musa, the Chief of Staff to Governor Dauda Lawal, during the inauguration of the new secretariat for the Association of Zamfara State Indigenes in Kaduna. Representing the governor, Musa emphasized that the administration remains committed to providing security forces with the necessary equipment, logistics, and operational support to confront insurgents.

“The governor will never negotiate with bandits. Those willing to surrender should do so or face the law,” Musa stated. He added that the government’s priority is to restore lasting peace, urging citizens to assist in this effort by providing timely intelligence on suspicious activities to security agencies.

The event, which also included a humanitarian outreach distributing food supplies to vulnerable members of the association, highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by residents displaced by insecurity. Abdulrahman Tumbido, the Zamfara State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, acknowledged that many residents had relocated to Kaduna due to the volatile security situation at home, but expressed optimism that peace would soon be restored.

During the ceremony, the state government announced a donation of ₦5 million to support the association’s activities. The leadership of the association expressed gratitude for the government’s support and emphasized that the new secretariat would serve as a vital hub for unity, coordination, and the welfare of Zamfara indigenes living outside their home state.