Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has reaffirmed his administration’s opposition to negotiating with bandits, even as 50 community elders abducted during a peace mission to a notorious bandits’ camp remain in captivity.
The elders, drawn from Magamin Diddi village in Maradun Local Government Area, were reportedly kidnapped earlier this month after visiting the camp of a feared bandit leader, identified as Jammo, in an attempt to secure a peace agreement that would enable residents to return safely to their farms.
Their continued detention has sparked widespread debate across the state, with many residents expressing concern over the worsening security situation and the government’s stance on dialogue with armed groups.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Lawal distanced his administration from the initiative, insisting that the delegation acted without government approval.
According to the governor, the state government had consistently rejected negotiations with terrorists and would not alter its position.
“They did not inform the authorities before embarking on such a dangerous mission,” Lawal said, adding that the government neither authorised nor endorsed the move.
While condemning the abduction of the elders, the governor maintained that his administration remained committed to confronting banditry through security operations rather than dialogue.
He argued that previous attempts by past administrations to negotiate with criminal groups failed to produce lasting peace, stressing that such engagements often embolden bandits and provide them with opportunities to strengthen their operations.
Lawal said his government was investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident but questioned why individuals would independently seek talks with terrorists after the government had repeatedly warned against the practice.
The governor reiterated that his administration would continue to pursue military and security measures aimed at weakening criminal networks operating across the state.
Despite his position, some residents and security observers have criticised the policy, arguing that it has not halted attacks on communities.
They contend that many villages have been overrun, thousands displaced and farming activities severely disrupted due to persistent insecurity.
According to reports, several communities have resorted to negotiating directly with bandits and paying levies in exchange for access to their farmlands and protection from attacks.
A resident of Gusau, Usman Alkali, said many communities felt abandoned and had adopted self-help measures to survive.
He noted that while the governor’s refusal to negotiate was principled, the ongoing violence had continued to exact a heavy toll on rural communities.
Lawal, however, insisted that security efforts were yielding results, citing improvements in agricultural production and a reduction in attacks compared to previous years.
He acknowledged that the security challenge had not been completely eliminated but maintained that progress had been recorded.
“As governor, my responsibility is to protect lives and property,” he said, adding that no government could realistically eliminate terrorism overnight.
The issue has divided public opinion in Zamfara.
While some residents support the governor’s hardline approach, others believe dialogue remains the most practical path to ending years of bloodshed and restoring normalcy.
A farmer, Alhaji Garba Mohammed, backed the administration’s stance, arguing that previous peace deals only enabled bandits to regroup and acquire more weapons.
Conversely, a businessman, Alhaji Mustafa Ibrahim, urged the state government to reconsider its position, saying residents were weary of killings, abductions and economic losses.
He called for a negotiated settlement similar to efforts adopted in some neighbouring states, insisting that peace remained essential for the revival of business and farming activities in Zamfara.
The fate of the 50 abducted elders remains uncertain as security agencies continue efforts to address the crisis.