Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has called on state governments to immediately terminate all ongoing or planned peace negotiations with bandit groups.
Describing such pacts as “counterproductive,” the Minister emphasized that these local arrangements are actively sabotaging federal efforts to secure the nation.
In a recent interview with BBC Hausa, General Musa revealed that the Federal Government has maintained a consistent advisory against engaging with armed militants, arguing that these groups use “peace deals” as a strategic smokescreen.
The Minister’s stance is rooted in a fundamental lack of trust in the integrity of the insurgents. He argued that formal agreements with criminal elements only serve to complicate military operations and prolong the conflict.
“There will be no peace deal with bandits. We have advised all levels of government not to take that route because these bandits are not truthful and will not abide by any agreement. It only makes the fight against insurgency more difficult,” Gen. Musa stated.
Despite the firm warning, the Minister acknowledged the limitations of federal power within a civilian administration, noting that while the government cannot use force to dictate state-level policy, the message has been clearly delivered to all relevant authorities.
“Now we run a democratic government, so we can’t force compliance with might but we have sent messages to them and I am sure they will comply,” he added.
Beyond the issue of diplomatic pacts, General Musa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering policy regarding financial demands from kidnappers. He made a clear distinction between state policy and the private actions of desperate families.
According to him, the government does not pay ransom to kidnappers or terrorists. He, however, added that any payments made to secure the release of victims are strictly personal.
According to the Minister, the administration remains focused on kinetic and non-kinetic military strategies rather than financial settlements, which he believes only fuel the kidnapping industry.
The Minister’s remarks stock confusion as to the true position of governments at different levels, and security agencies in Nigeria on the issue of negotiations, amnesty and peace deals with terrorists and bandits.
Over the past years, some state governments have initiated peace deals with such criminals with the security agencies, including the police and military recorded to be in attendance at such meetings.
, has called on state governments to immediately terminate){kind=link}