Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has issued a strong warning to state governments against negotiating with bandits or sustaining local peace agreements with armed groups, describing such moves as risky, ineffective, and harmful to the country’s overall security efforts.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, the defence minister made it clear that the Federal Government has consistently advised all levels of government to avoid negotiations with criminal gangs operating across parts of the country. According to him, peace deals with bandits do not bring lasting solutions and often worsen the insecurity they are meant to resolve.
General Musa stressed that armed groups cannot be trusted to respect any agreement reached with them. In his words, negotiations tend to embolden criminal networks, weaken ongoing military operations, and prolong violence in affected communities. Rather than ending attacks, such arrangements often give bandits the breathing space to regroup, rearm, and return with even greater force.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s stance, the minister said Nigeria would not pursue negotiated settlements with bandits, pay ransoms, or legitimize groups that terrorize citizens. He emphasized that granting concessions to criminals sends the wrong signal, undermines justice, and erodes public confidence in the state’s ability to protect lives and property.
The defence minister urged state governors to align fully with the federal security strategy, noting that only a coordinated national approach can produce sustainable results. He highlighted sustained military pressure, intelligence-driven operations, and close cooperation with local communities as the most effective path toward restoring peace and stability.
Musa’s remarks come amid growing public anger over reports of state-level peace initiatives and alleged plans to release suspected bandits as part of reconciliation efforts. Critics argue that such actions weaken the rule of law, demoralize security personnel risking their lives in the field, and offer undue legitimacy to criminal actors.
Beyond government actions, the minister also appealed directly to citizens, warning against providing any form of support to bandits. He cautioned that giving food, money, shelter, or information to criminal groups only fuels violence and delays national stability. According to him, insecurity thrives when communities, whether out of fear or convenience, enable those responsible for the violence.
General Musa concluded by calling for collective responsibility in the fight against banditry, stressing that security is not the duty of the military alone. He said defeating armed groups requires unity of purpose among federal and state authorities, security agencies, and citizens, all working together to deny criminals the space and support they rely on to operate.
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