Governor Ahmed Aliyu, of Sokoto state, has said governors in Nigeria’s North-West region will not enter into negotiations with bandits, declaring that only unconditional surrender by criminal groups would be considered.
The Sokoto governor made the statement in Katsina State during the inauguration of the ₦12.6 billion, 8.1-kilometre Yanɗaki–Shinkafi–Ƙofar Sauri Road delivered by Dikko Umaru Raɗɗa. “We will not negotiate with any criminal, nor will we accept any offer from them unless they surrender unconditionally”, Aliyu stated.
He said governors across the North-West were united in their determination to end insecurity, noting that state governments were committing substantial resources to confront banditry and other crimes. According to him, regional governments are collaborating with security agencies to refine strategies aimed at restoring peace and stability.
Aliyu also urged residents to support security efforts by identifying and exposing informants within their communities, stressing that attacks often succeed because of insider collaboration. “We must do the needful at the community level by remaining vigilant and monitoring the movement of suspicious individuals”, he added.
The governor further appealed to citizens to continue praying for the success of ongoing operations against insecurity in the region and nationwide.
He praised Dikko Umaru Raɗɗa for establishing the Katsina State Community Guard to complement conventional security agencies. “I recall that immediately after witnessing the inauguration of the Katsina State Community Guard, I returned to Sokoto State and established our own Community Guard Corps”, he said.
Aliyu described the initiative as effective and capable of delivering meaningful results, while commending Raɗɗa, chairman of the North-West APC Governors’ Forum, for his leadership.
