Why we are negotiating with bandits – Sokoto govt

The Sokoto State government is negotiating with bandits because there are no enough security operatives to protect lives and properties of its people in all towns and villages.

The State Commissioner for Careers and Security Matters, Retired Colonel Garba Moyi stated this in an interview with newsmen.

Moyi said: “We entered into negotiation as the last option, because we don’t have enough security operatives to be in all our villages and towns to protect lives and properties and we do not want lose lives and properties to banditry.

“If only the

Federal

Government can reinforce our division and direct cooperation and coordination for the operation in the State, we would not be talking to any bandits.

“We thank God that even the bandits are tired and wanted to live a normal life. In fact, they are the ones who called for this negotiation,” he said.

Moyi maintained that the ongoing negotiation with bandits was yielding positive result as there was no major attack in the state since the beginning of the meeting.

He, however, reiterated the readiness of government to spend money to protect the lives and properties of citizenry.

The commissioner, who lamented the spate of kidnappings in the state, said they were mostly instigated by the victims’ relatives.

He appealed to the federal government to redeploy more security personnel to states facing banditry and other security challenges.

He also appealed to residents of the state to support the government and security operatives in their efforts to curb banditry.

He also cautioned against indiscriminate and unjust killing of the Fulani, attributing such action to “senseless killing of innocent souls”.

Moyi, who said Nigerian security operatives were one of the best in the world, added that what they needed was motivation and right equipment to face the challenges of today.