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Northern leaders urge Tinubu to eliminate bandits from our forests.

  • Post category:Politics

Some northern leaders are emphasizing the importance of clearing the forests of bandits as the only lasting solution to the country’s insecurity problem. They argue against negotiating with the bandits, citing their previous refusal to respect agreements. These leaders call upon President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action against insecurity by targeting the bandits in the forests.
Anthony Sani, an elder statesman and former Secretary General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), stresses the need for well-trained and equipped security personnel who are motivated to confront the bandits in the forests. He expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of negotiating with bandits, as they lack a centralized leadership structure.
Malam Bashir Usman Ruwangodiya, former Special Adviser to the immediate past Katsina state governor, emphasizes that clearing the forests of bandits is the most crucial development project needed in the northwest region. He believes that if banditry is eradicated, it would be a significant achievement for democracy in the affected states. Ruwangodiya highlights the complexity of negotiating with multiple groups of bandits and the lack of trust between the government and these groups.
Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Katsina, former Special Adviser on Security Matters in Katsina state, suggests adopting a multidimensional approach that addresses the concerns of both the victims and the terrorists. He cautions that amnesty alone is insufficient and emphasizes the need to address the underlying factors contributing to the crisis.
Dr. Mustapha Inuwa, former Secretary to Katsina State Government, shares insights from previous negotiations with bandits, highlighting the challenges of dealing with decentralized and independent groups. He believes that a non-kinetic approach is not viable due to the bandits’ lack of reason and heavy reliance on violence. Dr. Inuwa advocates for a coordinated national platform involving all affected states, with a unified command and efforts to block the bandits’ sources of firearms.
These leaders also emphasize the importance of raising awareness about the implications of paying ransom and the need for community members to reject support for the bandits. They call upon traditional, religious, and community leaders to discourage collaboration with the bandits and promote a sense of responsibility among the populace.

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