Reasons for negotiating with bandits in Sokoto- Official

The Sokoto state government on Sunday said it is negotiating with bandits because there are no enough security operatives to protect lives and properties of its people in all towns and villages across the state.

The State Commissioner for Careers and Security matters, Colonel Garba Moyi (rtd) on Sunday stated this while speaking with journalists in Sokoto.

According to him,  “We entered into negotiation as the last option, because we don’t have enough security operatives to be in all our villages and towns to protect lives and properties and we do not want loose lives and properties to banditry.

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“If only the FG can reinforce our division and direct cooperation and coordination for the operation in the State we would not be talking to any bandits.

“We thank God that even the bandits are tired and wanted to live a normal life. In fact, they are the ones who called for this negotiation,” he said

Colonel Garba Moyi maintained that the ongoing negotiation with bandits was yielding positive result as there was no major attack in the state since the beginning of the meeting.

The Commissioner, however, reiterated their readiness to spend their last Kobo to protect the lives and properties of their citizenry.

He lamented over the spate of kidnappings in the state which, he said were mostly instigated by the victims’ relatives.

He appealed to the federal government to redeploy more security personnel to states facing banditry and other security challenges.

Moyi reiterated that “all countries have their individual security challenges, which they are battling with.

He appealed to residents of the state to support the government and security operatives in their efforts to curb banditry in the state.

He also cautioned against the indiscriminate and unjust killing of Fulanis because that has always been the trigger to the senseless killing of innocent souls.

Moyi noted that Nigerian security operatives were one of the best in the world, but they need motivation and the right equipment to face the challenges of today.