Northern leaders have strongly rejected a call by former Zamfara State Governor Malam Yerima Sani for President Bola Tinubu to negotiate with terrorists and bandits and grant them amnesty, similar to the approach taken with Niger Delta militants during the administration of the late Umaru Yar’Adua.
The leaders argue that negotiations with bandits would be futile because the bandits lack a centralized leadership and have previously failed to honor agreements made with certain northern states and communities.
Various leaders expressed their opinions on the matter. Chief Iorbee Ihagh, the Director General of Mzough U Tiv and Chairman of three socio-cultural/ethnic groups in Benue State, stated that negotiations should not take place as those who brought the bandits into the country bear responsibility for the havoc they have wreaked.
Bishop Pinot Ogbaji, Vice Chairman of the APC Benue South District, questioned the nature of the proposed negotiations and highlighted the potential for further groups to emerge seeking negotiations if the precedent is set. Dr. Bitrus Pogu, the National President of the Middle Belt Forum, criticized the idea of negotiating with terrorists and emphasized the need to crush and destroy them instead.
