The federal government of Nigeria has both constitutional and moral obligations to involve the Zamfara state government in the efforts to crush bandits and terrorists in the state.
There has been a recent back-and-forth altercation between Zamfara state government and the federal government on the claim by the former that the latter was engaged in a behind-the-scene clandestine amnesty talks and negotiations with terrorists and bandits in Zamfara state without the consent of the state government. This claim was swiftly denied by the federal government which prompted the Zamfara state government to issue a counter-statement to the effect that it is against any form of amnesty for bandits and has well-documented evidence to prove that the federal government recently held amnesty talks with terrorists and bandits at selected locations in Zamfara state viz Maradun, Birnin Magaji, Bagega, Mun Haye, Ajjah and Bawo.
Clearly, some prominent indigenes of Zamfara state are misleading the federal government into granting amnesty for bandits and terrorists in Zamfara state. These individuals know full well that the Zamfara state government under Dr Dauda Lawal has always maintained its position against amnesty and never to negotiate with bandits. So these individuals now decided that since Zamfara state government said they will not offer amnesty and will not negotiate with bandits, let’s go behind them back-door and negotiate through the federal government.
This method will backfire certainly and the people will turn back when pressed to the very end of the wall. Amnesty for bandits was tried before in Zamfara state and it never worked. It will never work.
Recall that a former governor of the state, Bello Mohammed Matawalle has been a key advocate of amnesty for bandits and actually granted amnesty to bandits in Zamfara state during his uneventful tenure as governor which only fuelled kidnapping and banditry in the state. Also recently, another former governor of the state, Ahmed Sani Yarima called for amnesty for terrorists and bandits who are continuously kidnapping, raping, maiming and killing innocent people.
Talking to and negotiating with bandits should be taken off the table in Nigeria as it is a defeatist approach. Bandits will not lay down their arms in the name of amnesty. They will only use the money from amnesty to buy more weapons to kill innocent people and attack our security agents.
It is humiliating and hurting that our country with all its resources should resort to begging common criminals to lay down their arms which they never will anyway.
Amnesty for bandits will never work no matter its colouration. Granting amnesty to bandits will jeopardise counter-insurgency operations and the excellent work of our military against these criminals.
It is important that both Zamfara state government and the federal government treat this issue with utmost caution else it could jeopardise any resolve by both the state and federal government to crush these criminal bandits and terrorists.
Disagreement between the state and federal government will only ensure that Nigeria continues to play into the hands of the terrorists and bandits. Such disagreements will only serve as oxygen to insecurity not only in Zamfara state but the nation as a whole.
The position of Zamfara state as the capital and hub of kidnapping and banditry in Nigeria is well-documented as several armed Fulani terrorist groups of kidnappers and bandits have literally taken over several parts of the state. Currently, bandits and terrorists control over 400 communities in Zamfara state. Farmers cannot go to farms in most communities in the state.
In fact, any solution to the scourge of kidnapping in Nigeria should naturally start from Zamfara state bring the centrepiece of the kidnapping business. In some cases, kidnapping incidents in Ondo or Osun and other states are usually negotiated in Zamfara state over the phone.
If the armed Fulani terrorist groups are not stopped in their strides, kidnapping will not stop in Zamfara state but could potentially consume the whole of Nigeria particularly the South West.
The state and federal governments must collaborate to ensure that our gallant military, the police and other security agencies are given whatever they need to crush these bandits for peace to return to Zamfara state and Nigeria as a whole. It is natural that there will be some disagreement in the search for solutions to banditry and terrorism but these disagreements must be swiftly resolved so that our armed forces can do their work unhindered. Disagreement between the state and federal government will certainly affect troop morale. The temptation to go to the media must be resisted by all parties because of the sensitivity of security issues.
The constitution is very clear on the role of the government at ALL levels in the provision of security to life and property.
Section 14(2)(b) of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) is clear, explicit and unambiguous that ‘The provision of security to life and property shall be the primary purpose of government’
The constitution didn’t specify any level of government. It says ‘government’ which means security is a responsibility of all levels of government. The federal, state and local governments must work together to provide security to life and property.
Come to think of it. The federal government cannot achieve any meaningful impact in the counter-terrorism operations in Zamfara state without the support of the Zamfara state government.
It is a huge mistake for the federal government to think of fixing insecurity in Zamfara state without any inputs from the state government.
One thing is very clear though: amnesty for bandits will never work. It has been tried several times and it failed. Amnesty for bandits is only a red herring and a wild goose chase. It will only embolden the terrorists to continue kidnapping and killing innocent people.
To compliment the efforts of our gallant military in the fight against kidnappers, bandits and terrorists, the following measures are strongly proposed:
1. Use of information and communications technology (ICT) through the deployment of drones and satellites – Federal ministries of communications/science and technology
2. Equipping local vigilante in every community – State governments
3. Setting up special courts to try cases of kidnapping and banditry- Office of the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice
4. Assigning selected judges to preside over cases of kidnapping and banditry- Office of the attorney- general of the federation and minister of justice.
5. Enacting special laws on kidnapping and banditry including capital punishment- The National Assembly
It is shocking that Nigeria doesn’t have any specific and enforceable laws specifying punishment for kidnapping and banditry but have laws for electoral offences.
Security is sine qua non to any developmental efforts embarked upon by the government. No development can be achieved without a safe and secured environment and any policies of the government will not be appreciated or even noticed by the people if they cannot move freely and/or sleep with their two eyes closed.
