The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has issued a firm warning to state governments across Nigeria, cautioning them against entering into any form of peace deal or negotiated settlement with bandit groups operating in different parts of the country.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Musa stressed that the Federal Government’s position on the matter is unequivocal: there should be no negotiations, no ransom payments, and no political or social legitimisation of armed groups that have been terrorising communities, abducting civilians, and attacking security personnel.
According to the Defence Minister, the Federal Government has repeatedly advised governors and other subnational authorities to desist from striking informal agreements with bandits, whether through amnesty programmes, financial inducements, or promises of leniency. He argued that such arrangements are not only short-sighted but also dangerous to national security.
Musa explained that experience has shown that bandits cannot be trusted to honour any agreement. He described previous attempts at peace deals in some states as counter-productive, noting that they often give criminal networks time to regroup, rearm, and expand their operations under the guise of dialogue.
He warned that every negotiation with armed groups sends the wrong signal, both to the criminals and to the wider public. To the bandits, he said, it suggests that violence is an effective bargaining tool that can extract concessions from the state. To citizens, it raises doubts about the government’s resolve and undermines confidence in formal security institutions.
“The Federal Government’s position is clear. There would be no negotiated settlements, no ransom payments, and no legitimisation of armed groups terrorising communities,” Musa said, insisting that the only sustainable path to peace lies in consistent, coordinated security operations backed by strong community support.
The minister emphasised that negotiations tend to embolden criminal networks rather than pacify them. When bandits see that attacks and kidnappings lead to talks, money, or political attention, they are incentivised to continue and even escalate their activities. This, he argued, weakens ongoing military operations and prolongs the cycle of insecurity.
Musa urged state governors to align fully with the Federal Government’s security strategy, which prioritises sustained military pressure, intelligence-led operations, and close collaboration with local communities. He said that fragmented approaches, where some states pursue dialogue while others rely on force, create loopholes that bandits exploit to evade arrest and prosecution.
He noted that the armed forces and other security agencies are engaged in multiple theatres of operation against bandits, insurgents, and other violent groups, and that any move that appears to reward or legitimise these actors risks demoralising troops who are putting their lives on the line.
The minister’s warning comes amid growing public debate and outrage over reports of state-level peace initiatives and proposals to release suspected bandits from detention as part of local reconciliation efforts. Critics of such moves argue that they undermine justice, disregard the suffering of victims, and send a message that crime can be forgiven without accountability.
Human rights advocates and security analysts have also raised concerns that informal deals with bandits often lack transparency and legal backing, making it difficult to monitor compliance or hold anyone responsible when the agreements inevitably collapse. In many cases, communities that initially welcomed ceasefires have later found themselves exposed to renewed attacks once the armed groups regroup.
Musa echoed these concerns, stressing that the state must not be seen to capitulate to non-state actors who use violence as leverage. He maintained that the rule of law requires that those responsible for killings, kidnappings, and mass displacements face prosecution, not political accommodation.
Beyond the actions of state governments, the Defence Minister also addressed the role of ordinary citizens in the fight against banditry. He appealed to Nigerians, particularly those living in rural and semi-urban communities affected by insecurity, to stop aiding bandits with food, money, fuel, or information.
Musa warned that any form of support, whether out of fear, kinship ties, or financial gain, directly fuels violence and delays the restoration of peace. He said that while some residents may feel compelled to cooperate with bandits to avoid immediate harm, such collaboration ultimately strengthens the criminals and prolongs the suffering of entire communities.
He called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community associations to intensify sensitisation efforts, making it clear that providing assistance to bandits is not only morally wrong but also a criminal offence. According to him, effective intelligence gathering depends on citizens choosing to side with the state rather than with those who threaten it.
The Defence Minister highlighted the importance of intelligence-led operations, explaining that the military’s ability to dismantle bandit networks depends heavily on timely and accurate information from locals. When communities withhold information or actively shield criminals, security forces are forced to operate in the dark, which can slow down operations and increase the risk to both troops and civilians.
Musa insisted that the armed forces are committed to protecting law-abiding citizens and that any reports of misconduct by security personnel are being taken seriously and investigated. He urged communities to report abuses through appropriate channels, but not to allow isolated incidents to push them into the arms of bandits.
He also underscored the need for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to tackling insecurity. While the military plays a central role in confronting armed groups, he said, long-term stability will require improved governance, economic opportunities, and social services in areas that have become recruitment grounds for criminal organisations.
Nonetheless, Musa maintained that these broader reforms cannot be built on a foundation of impunity. He argued that any attempt to buy peace through deals with bandits is a temporary fix that leaves the underlying structures of violence intact. For genuine peace to take root, he said, the state must demonstrate that it alone holds the legitimate monopoly on the use of force.
Reiterating his message to state governments, the Defence Minister urged governors to resist pressure from local power brokers or interest groups advocating for quick-fix settlements with armed gangs. He encouraged them instead to strengthen cooperation with federal security agencies, invest in local intelligence networks, and support programmes that assist victims of banditry and rebuild affected communities.
Musa concluded by reaffirming the Federal Government’s resolve to confront banditry and other forms of violent crime without compromise. He called on Nigerians to remain patient, vigilant, and united, insisting that while the fight may be difficult, rewarding criminality through negotiations is not an option for a country seeking lasting peace and security.
