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Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has said governors in the North-West region of the country will not engage in negotiations with bandits, stressing that only unconditional surrender would be accepted from criminal groups operating in the area.
The governor made the remark on Saturday in Katsina State during the commissioning of the N12.6 billion, 8.1-kilometre Yandaki-Shinkafi-Kofar Sauri Road constructed by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda.
Aliyu stated that the governors were aligned in their decision not to negotiate with criminals, adding that any engagement would only be considered if such groups surrendered without conditions.
“We will not negotiate with any criminal, nor will we accept any offer from them unless they surrender unconditionally,” Aliyu said.
He said state governments in the region were committing substantial resources to tackle insecurity and working closely with security agencies to strengthen efforts to restore peace.
The governor also urged residents to support the fight against banditry by exposing informants within their communities and remaining vigilant to suspicious movements.
“We must do the needful at the community level by remaining vigilant and monitoring the movement of suspicious individuals,” he said.
He noted that many successful bandit attacks involved some level of local collaboration, calling on citizens to take greater responsibility for safeguarding their communities.
Aliyu further appealed to residents to continue praying for ongoing efforts to address insecurity in the region and across the country.
He commended Governor Radda for establishing the Katsina State Community Guard, describing the initiative as effective in supporting conventional security agencies.
Aliyu added that he adopted a similar model in Sokoto after observing the programme, noting that it has the potential to deliver measurable results.
