Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, on Tuesday, said the Zamfara State Government has enough facts to expose the agents of the Federal Government behind the secret negotiation with bandits.
Lawal was reacting to a recent statement by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, where he accused the Zamfara State Government of politicizing security.
The governor, who had consistently ruled out the option of negotiating with bandits, had raised the alarm that the Federal Government had entered a secret dialogue with the criminals.
In a statement by the Governor’s spokesman, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the Governor said he had evidence exposing some Federal Government agents involved in the negotiations with bandits in Zamfara.
He explained that the Minister of Information should have conducted a thorough investigation before discrediting the State Government.
The statement read in parts: “We have facts and evidence on what had transpired between these agents of the Federal Government and the bandits during the negotiations in several places across Zamfara.
“It is disappointing that the information minister discredited our claim without verifying it first. What is expected of him as a professional is to collaborate with relevant authorities to substantiate the claim’s authenticity.
“The Information Minister’s statement claiming that there were no negotiations between government officials and bandits in Zamfara requires further clarification. We have already exposed a few locations where such talks were held with bandits, such as Birnin Magaji, Maradun, Mun Haye, Ajah, Bawo, and Bagege.
“Negotiating with bandits in Zamfara is a grave mistake we cannot afford to make. It is not the solution to the problem and only encourages and emboldens the criminals. We urge the Federal Government to take a firm stance against such activities and investigate the motives of those who engage in them.”
“We sought clarification from the Federal Government regarding the sneaky negotiations with bandits carried out by some of its agents without recourse to the State Government and heads of Security agencies in the State.
“Zamfara State Government respects protocol and established authority. We would not come out in the media to start exposing the names of the Federal Government agents involved in the covert dialogue with bandits.
“We want to clarify that those individuals leading secret negotiations with bandits in Zamfara are politicizing insecurity, not the State Government.
Earlier, in a statement, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, expressed disappointment with Zamfara State Governor, Dr. Dauda Lawal, for what he perceives as a politicization of the abduction of students of the Federal University of Gusau.
Governor Lawal had on Monday expressed concern that the state government or security agencies were not informed, and noted that the actions would undermine the fight against banditry in Zamfara.
The minister said instead of acknowledging the swift efforts of security agents and federal government institutions in rescuing the students, the governor has chosen to exploit the situation for political gain.
In a statement, the Minister emphasized that federal government institutions are legally empowered to take action, independently if necessary, to ensure the safe return of citizens unlawfully taken hostage, as exemplified in the case of the abducted students.
The statement read in parts: “The absence of public disclosure about the intricate details of such delicate operations, he clarified, does not equate to secrecy, as alleged by the Zamfara State Government.”
The Minister explained that no official representing the Federal Government has been involved in negotiations with any bandit or group of bandits, but said the government remained committed to exploring all available avenues for de-escalating tension and restoring peace to communities plagued by banditry.
He added that “the Federal Government would not criticize such community-driven initiatives,” if communities opt to engage in negotiations, assuring Nigerians that the government was working to put an end to banditry and kidnapping.
- PDP Suspends National Secretary, Other National Officials - November 2, 2025
- Condemn Prisoner Escape From Custodial Centre - November 2, 2025
- Coup Plot: Brigadier General, Colonel, 4 Lieutenant Colonels, Others Under Investigation - November 1, 2025