‘There will be no negotiations with bandits’ – Zamfara council chairman

The chairman of Talata Mafara Local Government Area in Zamfara State, Yahaya Abubakar Yari, has defended the state’s decision not to negotiate with bandits, insisting the criminals have no genuine demands that would justify peace talks.

Speaking to BBC Hausa, Yari said negotiations should only be held with armed groups that take up weapons over specific political or social grievances.

“Peace talks are meant for people who rebel because they have certain demands or are fighting for their rights. If those demands are addressed, they lay down their arms and peace returns,” he said.

He cited the example of former rebels in Colombia, saying they ended their armed struggle after the government addressed their concerns.

“If Zamfara bandits had genuine demands that the government could meet to end the violence, then dialogue would make sense,” he added.

According to Yari, the bandits are driven solely by criminal activities.

“They have no objective other than burning villages, killing innocent people, stealing property and rustling livestock. How do you negotiate with people like that?” he asked.

The council chairman also argued that the government’s current strategy has weakened the bandits. He said attacks that once forced entire communities to flee or led to the abduction of traditional rulers are no longer as common.

“The government has now allowed communities to defend themselves instead of negotiating with the bandits. That decision has solved half of the problem,” he said.

Yari dismissed claims that negotiations with bandits had produced positive results in neighbouring Katsina State, arguing that insecurity continued despite the talks.

“What did the peace agreement achieve? Didn’t they kill a general and bring his body into town after the negotiations? Aren’t people still being kidnapped from villages?” he said.

He reiterated that the Zamfara State governor has ruled out any peace deal with bandits.

“The governor has made it clear that there will be no negotiations with bandits. Anyone who chooses to negotiate with them is doing so on their own. As far as the governor is concerned, the only option is to fight them, and we, as local government chairmen, fully support that position,” Yari said.

On concerns that insecurity has prevented farmers from cultivating their land, Yari said many farmers are still working safely in several parts of the state, although he admitted that some areas continue to face security challenges.