Nigeria's Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has issued a stern directive to state governments across the country, ordering an immediate halt to all peace negotiations and agreements with armed bandits.
Federal Government's Firm Stance Against Negotiations
In a recent interview with the BBC Hausa service, the Defence Minister categorically stated that engaging in peace deals with bandits is counterproductive and severely undermines the nation's broader security framework. He revealed that the Federal Government has consistently advised all tiers of government against taking this route.
General Musa emphasized the unreliability of such armed groups, stating that they cannot be trusted to honour any agreements made. "There will be no peace deal with bandits," he declared firmly. "We have advised all levels of government not to take that route because these bandits are not truthful and will not abide by any agreement. It only makes the fight against insurgency more difficult."
Clear Messages Sent to Non-Compliant Authorities
The Minister acknowledged that while the democratic nature of the government prevents the use of force to ensure compliance, clear directives have been disseminated. "Now we run a democratic government, so we can’t force compliance with might but we have sent messages to them and I am sure they will comply," Musa explained, referring to individuals and authorities still involved in such dealings.
This warning comes amidst reports of some state and local authorities entering into truces with bandit groups in an attempt to secure the release of kidnapped victims or reduce attacks in their regions.
Reaffirmation of No-Ransom Policy
In the same interview, General Christopher Musa took the opportunity to reiterate the Federal Government's official position on ransom payments to kidnappers. He stated unequivocally that the government does not pay ransom.
According to the Defence Minister, any ransom payments made are done so in a private, personal capacity and do not represent the actions or policy of the Nigerian state. "Anyone who pays ransom does so in a personal capacity and not on behalf of the government," he clarified.
This dual-pronged announcement from the nation's top defence official underscores a strategic shift towards a more unified, non-negotiable approach to tackling banditry and kidnapping, urging all entities to align with the central government's security protocols.
