Governors across Nigeria’s North-West region have taken a firm stand against rising insecurity, declaring that they will no longer negotiate with bandits as part of efforts to restore peace.
The position was reiterated by Ahmed Aliyu during the commissioning of the Yandaki–Shinkafi–Kofar Sauri Road project in Katsina State. He stressed that the era of dialogue with armed groups is over, insisting that only unconditional surrender would be considered.
“We will not negotiate with any criminal, nor will we accept any offer from them unless they surrender unconditionally,” he said.
According to him, governors in the region are united in their approach and are now focusing on strengthening security operations, improving intelligence gathering, and investing more in security infrastructure to dismantle criminal networks.
Aliyu also called on residents to play an active role in tackling insecurity by staying alert and reporting suspicious movements within their communities. He warned that many bandit operations succeed due to local collaboration.
“We must remain vigilant and monitor the movement of suspicious individuals,” he added.
He further urged citizens to support security agencies through cooperation and prayers, expressing confidence that ongoing efforts would bring lasting peace to the region.
The Sokoto governor commended Dikko Umaru Radda for establishing the State Community Guard, describing it as a practical step toward strengthening grassroots security. He revealed that Sokoto has adopted a similar model after seeing its effectiveness in Katsina.
Community-based security outfits, he noted, are becoming an important complement to conventional forces, especially in addressing local threats quickly and efficiently.
Aliyu also praised Radda’s leadership as chairman of the North-West APC Governors’ Forum, highlighting the growing coordination among governors in tackling insecurity.
The renewed stance signals a shift toward a more aggressive, coordinated approach by North-West leaders as they intensify efforts to curb banditry and restore stability across the region.
