CNG Reacts As Zamfara Govt Accuses FG Of Secret Negotiations With Bandits

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has warned the Federal  Government and Zamfara State government to stop playing politics with the lives of the people of the state.

Recall that Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State had accused the Federal Government of sabotaging the ongoing fight against banditry in the state by negotiating with bandits behind the state government.

In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, the governor said a delegation allegedly sent by some agencies of the Federal Government had been holding talks with bandit groups in Zamfara.

The Minister of Information, in a statement on Tuesday night, denied the claim that any of the federal government’s agencies are negotiating with bandits and accused the Zamfara governor of politicising security matters.

Reacting to the statement by the minister, Governor Dauda insisted that his government has hard evidence of the Federal government’s sneaky negotiations with bandits.

The governor also mentioned locations where such talks were held with bandits, such as Birnin Magaji, Maradun, Mun Haye, Ajah, Bawo, and Bagege areas of the state.

Reacting in an interview with Vanguard, CNG Spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said the blame game between the Zamfara and federal governments was unnecessary.

He said the security situation in Zamfara has become increasingly alarming and has thrown the population into further confusion with the adduction of students of the Federal University Gusau.

The CNG spokesman, therefore, called on the Federal and the Zamfara State governments to exercise restraint and work together to stop the insecurity in the North West state.

He said, “We condemn the recent security breach that shook the Gusau University campus. Adequate security measures must be put in place to safeguard these institutions, and the necessary resources must be allocated to ensure their effectiveness. Government must also work to provide students with the assurance of their safety by creating an environment conducive to learning.

“The ongoing instability in the state has led to numerous challenges, including threats from insurgent groups, terrorist attacks, and communal clashes. It is disheartening to see that instead of working collaboratively to address the security issues, both sides have resorted to pointing fingers at each other.

“This blame game only serves to distract from finding effective solutions and undermines the trust and confidence that the people of Zamfara State desperately need from their leaders. It is, therefore, crucial to understand that the security challenges in Zamfara State require a unified and coordinated effort from both the Federal Government and the Zamfara State government.

“We, therefore, sound a loud clarion call on the Federal and the Zamfara State governments to exercise restraint and the maturity expected in leaders in order to face the security challenges head-on and ensure the safe return of the abducted students.”

The CNG spokesman also urged the government, security agencies, and relevant stakeholders to collaborate effectively in developing and implementing strategies that will bring an end to the insecurity in the state.

He added: “We call on the government, security agencies, and relevant stakeholders to collaborate effectively in developing and implementing strategies that will bring an end to this cycle of violence. It is imperative to prioritize the protection of lives and property, ensuring that our citizens can go about their daily lives without fear and apprehension. It is, therefore, necessary for the Zamfara state government to work closely with federal agencies responsible for security matters, such as the Police, Military, and Intelligence Agencies.

“All stakeholders should prioritize the overall safety and well-being of the people of Zamfara State above any political differences. We call on the Federal Government to ensure the involvement of the state governments concerned and relevant stakeholders in the formation of policies that concern security. It is only through this synergy we can have an informed policy direction for enduring security in Zamfara and the entire Northern region.”