In an effort to address the issue of insecurity, the Nigerian Army has taken a firm stance and declared that it will not engage in negotiations with bandits. Major General Godwin Mutkut, the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Nigerian Army Sokoto, made this clear during a press briefing held in Gusau, Zamfara State. Instead of negotiating, the army intends to eliminate the bandits.
General Mutkut emphasized that those involved in acts of terrorism and banditry in the northern regions should surrender without conditions. He highlighted that the bandits had not sought negotiations before retreating to their hideouts in the bush. Therefore, now that the military pressure is intensifying, their sudden interest in negotiations is suspicious. The general dismissed the idea of negotiations as a trap, citing previous unsuccessful attempts. He urged the bandits to come out of hiding and surrender, as the military’s approach would be to actively pursue and eliminate them.
The general expressed concern over the bandits‘ shift towards targeting vulnerable individuals in villages and on highways, referring to them as soft targets. This underscores the urgency and gravity of the situation, further reinforcing the army’s determination to combat the banditry menace.