The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, cautioning against any form of negotiation with bandits and terrorists or granting them amnesty, News About Nigeria gathered.
CAN emphasised that if the Nigerian government is incapable of effectively combating terrorism, it should seek external assistance.
The Secretary of CAN’s North-West Zone, Sunday Oibe, expressed these concerns in an interview with Punch on Sunday.
He was responding to allegations that some government officials were engaged in negotiations with bandits in Zamfara State.
Oibe stated, “It’s shameful and disgusting for the Nigerian state to keep doing this to us as a people. We have been hearing the expression ‘unknown gunmen’ did this and that repeatedly.
“Suddenly, the unknown gunmen are now known to the point that the federal might is even allowing some of its officials to enter into negotiations with the bandits.”
He continued, “As long as we keep living in denial, this problem shall remain unsolved. There’s nothing like bandits or unknown gunmen. This is an organised crime against the rest of us who are helpless. The successive governments know them, hire them, empower them, and are using them against the rest of us.”
Oibe questioned whether the Nigerian state was genuinely incapable of winning the war against these enemies of the state, emphasising that seeking help from external sources might be necessary if the nation is helpless in addressing the crisis.
He firmly stated, “Personally, I don’t subscribe to the idea of negotiating with criminals and the enemies of the state. The government knows what to do and should stop playing games.”
Oibe stressed that negotiation is not the solution and called for a demonstration of political will to eradicate these criminals from their roots.
