Zamfara Assembly Decries Attempt To Negotiate With Bandits

By Ayodele Oni

Members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have decried activities of some persons going around the state claiming that they were assigned by the federal government to negotiate with bandits.

The lawmakers vowed to resist the purported plan to negotiate with the bandits in the state.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the assembly, Bello Madora.

According to the statement, calling for a peace accord and reconciliation with the bandits by some people would not solve the problem in any way.

“Those calling for a peace accord and reconciliation with bandits are only doing that for political and selfish interest.”

This followed a Notice of Public Importance, (NPI) presented by the Majority Whip, and member representing Anka, Honourable Rilwanu Marafa Nagambo.

Nagambo further stated that reports reaching members indicated that some unpatriotic people were going round the state, particularly areas that were most hit by the lingering security challenges, negotiating with bandits in the name of a peace accord aimed at achieving their political goals.

The Majority Whip therefore called on the lawmakers of the House to immediately draw the attention of both the state and the federal governments, as well as relevant security agencies to take serious action against such a group of people negotiating with bandits in the state.

In their separate contributions during the sitting, the lawmakers condemned such an attitude, describing it as sabotage to the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal’s effort in addressing insecurity affecting the state.

They stated that they were fully supporting the State government’s steps towards rejecting any negotiation with bandits whose nasty activities had made legitimate living difficult in the state.

According to the lawmakers, such people were also claiming that they were assigned by the federal government with the mission to negotiate with bandits.

After much deliberations, the Speaker, Bi’yaminu Ismail Moriki, said the House unanimously resolved to condemn the purported plans by some unpatriotic people who were trying to cause problems for Zamfara State government in the area of addressing insecurity.

According to him, the House decided to draw the attention of both the state and the federal governments, as well security agencies, to immediately take measures against such unpatriotic politicians.