According to these leaders, such negotiations are bound to fail due to the lack of centralized leadership among the bandits and their history of disregarding previous agreements reached, News About Nigeria reports.
Middle-Belt and Northern leaders have strongly rejected the proposal put forth by former Zamfara State governor Yerima Sani, who called for President Bola Tinubu to engage in negotiations with terrorists and bandits in the country.
In an interview with Vanguard, Chief Iorbee Ihagh, the President General of Mzough U Tiv (MUT) worldwide and Chairman of three sociocultural/ethnic groups in Benue State, voiced his opposition to the idea.
He noted that the bandits and terrorists were originally brought into the country from West Africa to help certain individuals win elections in 2015.
However, once these individuals attained power, they failed to honour their agreements with the criminals, leading them to resort to banditry and terrorism.
Chief Ihagh emphasized that those responsible for bringing these individuals into the country should take responsibility for the mess they created.
Chief Ihagh also expressed his satisfaction with President Tinubu’s efforts to address insecurity in the country, highlighting the need for a strong response rather than negotiations.
He argued that the government should not beg criminals but instead focus on bringing them to justice and ensuring the return of internally displaced persons to their homes.
Additionally, he called for armed herdsmen to be sent back to their respective areas.
Bishop Pinot Ogbaji, the State Vice Chairman of APC Benue South District, echoed Chief Ihagh’s sentiments, stating that negotiation with terrorists and bandits would only encourage their activities.
He emphasized the need for decisive action to combat these criminal elements, including the possibility of amnesty for those willing to repent.
Dr Bitrus Pogu, the National President of the Middle Belt Forum, expressed disbelief at the suggestion of negotiating with terrorists.
He also called for the identification and punishment of those involved in propagating terrorism.
Ishaq Usman Kasai, Chairman of the Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU), criticized Yerima’s proposal, stating that it demonstrated a lack of understanding of the structural formation and diverse goals of the armed bandits.
