The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has urged state governments to halt negotiations with bandits, warning that such engagements undermine ongoing military operations and worsen insecurity.

Musa made the call during an interview with BBC Hausa, where he said dialogue with criminal groups often emboldens them rather than delivers lasting peace.

According to him, bandits are unreliable and frequently renege on agreements reached with government authorities.

The defence minister disclosed that the Katsina State Government had been cautioned over its recent decision to facilitate the release of 70 suspected bandits in custody. He said the state government had explained that the move was intended to consolidate community-based peace agreements with what it described as “repentant bandits” across several local government areas.

Musa, however, strongly opposed the approach, insisting that reconciliation with bandits is ineffective.

“Negotiation with bandits is not a way out. Those people are not real. Whenever they come for reconciliation, they need something,” he said in Hausa.

Referring specifically to Katsina, the minister said security authorities had warned against such actions.

“What’s happening in Katsina—we told them not to ever make the mistake of reconciling with those people. They are liars. We begged people to stop negotiating with them, and the government should stop. It’s not right, and they will surely come back again. They don’t fear God,” Musa said.

He added that negotiations weaken military efforts to restore security, noting that while the armed forces had raised objections, the democratic system limits the extent of federal intervention in state-level decisions.

“We already informed them that it damages our work. We asked them to stop. You know it’s democracy now, not military rule. But we are still in talks with them,” he said.

Musa also dismissed claims that the Federal Government pays ransom to kidnappers, stressing that such payments only fuel insecurity.

“Paying ransom is not good. People should stop paying ransom when kidnappings happen. Reports should be made and actions will be taken,” he said.

“The Federal Government does not pay ransom. It might be other people doing that on their own,” the defence minister added.