On Tuesday, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal claimed to have sufficient information at his disposal to identify the federal government operatives who were engaged in a covert dialogue with bandits.
In a recent remark, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, accused the Zamfara State Government of politicising security. Lawal was responding to this.
Sulaiman Bala Idris provided an official statement on his
The Zamfara Governor’s Senior Special Assistant for Media stated that the State Government has concrete proof implicating several Federal Government agents involved in negotiations with bandits in Zamfara.
He continued by saying that the State Government should have been thoroughly investigated by the Minister of Information before being attacked.
“We sought clarification from the Federal Government regarding the covert negotiations with bandits conducted by some of its agents without recourse to the State Government and heads of Security agencies in the State,” the statement continued.
“We have facts and proof about what happened during the conversations between these Federal Government operatives and the bandits in several locations throughout Zamfara.
“It is regrettable that the minister of information rejected our assertion without first checking it. As a professional, he is required to work with the appropriate agencies to support the validity of the claim.
“The government of Zamfara State respects convention and established authority. We wouldn’t go public with the names of the Federal Government agents engaged in the secret communications with bandits.
“We want to be clear that it is these individuals, not the State Government, who are politicking insecurity by holding covert talks with criminals in Zamfara.
“More explanation is needed about the Information Minister’s allegation that there were no conversations between government representatives and bandits in Zamfara. Some of the places where these conversations with bandits took place have already been made public, including Birnin Magaji, Maradun, Mun Haye, Ajah, Bawo, and Bagege.
“We cannot afford to make the serious mistake of negotiating with bandits in Zamfara. It does not address the issue and instead empowers and promotes crooks. We compel the Federal Government to vigorously oppose such actions and look into the motivations of individuals who partake in them.
