While emphasising that none of its officials is engaged in negotiation with any bandit or group of bandits, the Federal Government expressed disappointment that rather than appreciate security agents and its institutions for the prompt effort to rescue the abducted students of the institution, the governor “chose to play politics with the sensitive matter for cheap political goals.”
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, raised the objection in a statement signed by the Director of Press, Suleiman Haruna, in Abuja, titled, “Zamfara Government’s politicisation of security should be ignored.”
According to him, the FG would not be in haste to condemn people-driven initiatives should communities decide to borrow a leaf from what has helped quench unrest in other parts of the country to engage themselves in dialogue.
The statement said, “The Minister observes that the Federal Government institutions are empowered by law to spring to action, with or without prompting, to ensure the safe return of citizens illegally taken hostage, like in the case of these hapless students.
“The fact that details of such delicate operations are not revealed by the institutions responsible does not make it in any way surreptitious, as the Zamfara State Government atrociously described this effort.
“The Minister states, for the avoidance of doubt, that no official of the Federal Government is engaged in negotiation with any bandit or group of bandits. The government, however, maintains its resolve to explore every available avenue that can lead to the de-escalation of tension and bring back peace to communities ravaged by banditry.”
It read further, “However if communities decide to borrow a leaf from what has helped quench unrest in other parts of the country to engage themselves in dialogue, the Federal Government would not be in haste to condemn such people-driven initiative.
“The Minister assures Nigerians that the Federal Government and its institutions are working assiduously to turn around the current situation and bring an end to the ebbing cases of banditry, kidnapping and all forms of criminality.
“Political differences or personal fights with anybody should not be brought into the serious matter of national security to avoid demoralising our troops or derailing the government’s effort.”
“Finally, the Minister maintains that the Federal Government is willing to listen and continue its ongoing engagement with all stakeholders across the country in working out a lasting solution to our security problems. We urge all to put hands on deck with us,” the statement assured.
