“I Will Never Sit Down On The Negotiations Table With Terrorists” – Zamfara Gov. Vows

 

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has foreclosed any chances of indulging and negotiating with banditry elements operating in the State.

This was as he vowed to continue dangling the stick until insurgency and other forms of criminal activities are defeated.

Lawal’s position is coming against the backdrop of the growing tendency by Governors, especially those from the Northern region to engage in negotiations with banditry kingpins.

But speaking in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Governor Lawal, whose State has remained one of the epicentres of terrorist activities, including violent attacks, kidnappings, killings and wanton destruction of properties, maintained that no terrorist is stronger than the Government.

“I do not accept that terrorists are stronger than Government. Therefore, as Governor of Zamfara state, I maintain that I will not negotiate with terrorists”, Lawal vowed.

According to him, insurgency and all its associated problems – Killings , kidnappings , violent destructions etc – have not disappeared in some states where authorities have engaged the terrorists.

While not condemning any of his  colleagues and or  authorities’ that have chosen to negotiate with terrorists, Governor Lawal insisted that such an approach is totally not an option for him in the quest to tackle criminality in Zamfara state.

He emphasized that indulging terrorists in any form whatsoever, including negotiations, has the dangerous potential of sending out a wrong message, undermining constituted authorities, and eroding public confidence ,and trust.

“Even in states where negotiations have taken place, have attacks completely stopped? Some say there has been improvement but how can a Government sit down with criminals and be negotiating? That would imply that terrorists are stronger than the state”, Gov Lawal stated.

While acknowledging the challenges of the current insecurity in some parts of the country, the Zamfara State Governor, however, insisted that Government is still on top of the situation.

Similarly, Governor Lawal maintained that Government has not been overwhelmed by terrorists, despite pockets of protest matches by  citizens who are feeling frustrated by the seemingly intractable activities of insurgents.

“If people are unhappy ,we must listen to them. If their concerns can be addressed, we will address them.

“If something is beyond our capacity, we will explain that as well. That is democracy.

“However, I want to state categorically that the State has not been overwhelmed by the security situation.

” No, terrorist have not in anyway overwhelmed us. As said earlier, we are doing everything possible to protect lives and property.

“Just two weeks ago, there were communities that were displaced ,but we deployed security personnel, and people have since returned to their normal lives. We have done this in many places and will continue to do so”, the Governor assured.

Speaking on the much sort after, but elusive Kachalla Bello Turji, the Governor expressed the optimism that he will still meet his end.

” I keep on saying that no terrorist is stronger than the Government. It is only a matter of time. By the grace of Allah, we will get him ( Turji).

” I can not give a timeline. This is a warfare, not a simple matter where you can predict an exact. But based on the measures in place, I am confident he will eventually be apprehended.

“The fact is that  while Turji and some others are still at large, many of the terrorists have already been arrested, while others have been killed”, Lawal noted.