Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised government negotiations with bandits, warning that such arrangements often reward criminals, weaken security efforts, and fail to deliver lasting peace.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Abubakar said bandits routinely violate peace agreements reached with government officials, making deterrence difficult and undermining public confidence.
He argued that security operations lose credibility when governors are seen “on their knees begging bandits in the name of peace deals,” stressing that such approaches embolden criminal groups rather than stop them.
While clarifying that he is not completely opposed to dialogue as a conflict-resolution tool, the former vice-president cautioned against situations where criminals dictate the terms of engagement.
“Those peace deals always favour the bandits more than their victims, and they have always fooled the government’s negotiators,” he said.
Abubakar further urged the government to adopt a proactive security strategy instead of reacting only after attacks have taken place.
“Nigerians are no longer impressed by the powerful language of condemnation by the government. They’re more interested in results than rhetoric,” he said.
“Experience has shown that if rhetoric were enough to deter the bandits, the menace would have ended a long time ago.”
His comments come amid reports that some state governments, including Katsina State, are negotiating with bandits to halt attacks and kidnappings. The Katsina State Government is reportedly facilitating the release of 70 suspected bandits in custody, describing the move as part of efforts to consolidate community-based peace agreements with what it termed “repentant bandits” across several local government areas.
Reacting to the development, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain said the President Bola Tinubu–led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration must be held accountable for its campaign promises to end insecurity.
“Nigerians cannot be comforted by excuses. As a former opposition party, the APC held the then government in power to the harshest and merciless standards, and therefore, the Tinubu administration must be held to the same standards,” Abubakar said.
He also condemned the abduction of over 100 residents in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Sunday, noting that bandits now attack communities with increasing boldness.
According to him, it is deeply troubling that despite claims of success in peace negotiations by some states, bandits continue to raid communities and abduct residents.
“It is colossally embarrassing to see non-state actors holding the country hostage and attacking people and taking hostages again and again unchallenged,” Abubakar added.
