The Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa, has cautioned state governments against pursuing any peace deals with bandits, describing such efforts as dangerous and counter-productive. In an interview with BBC Hausa, Musa emphasized that the Federal Government has consistently advised all levels of government against negotiating with armed groups, warning that bandits cannot be trusted to honour any agreement. He said that negotiations only serve to embolden criminal networks, weaken military operations, and prolong insecurity.
Musa urged governors to align with the federal security strategy, which prioritizes sustained military pressure, intelligence-led operations, and community cooperation as the only viable means to restore peace. He reiterated the government’s stance that there would be “no negotiated settlements, no ransom payments, and no legitimisation of armed groups terrorising communities.” The warning comes amid growing public concern over reported state-level peace initiatives and planned releases of suspected bandits, actions critics argue could undermine justice and demoralize security forces.