The former governor of Zamfara State, Sani Yerima has asked President Bola Tinubu to negotiate with terror gangs operating in Zamfara State and other parts of the North-west of the country. Premium Times reports.Information Guide Nigeria
Mr Yerima who was addressing reporters after meeting with President Tinubu in Abuja yesterday said the government should negotiate with the terror gangs, locally called bandits, for a lasting peace in the North-west region.
He said the negotiation he is advocating is similar to what the administration of former President Umar Yar’Adua did with militants in the Niger Delta, which gave birth to the amnesty programme.
The amnesty involved training some of the ex-militants in various oil-related professions and offering them jobs; as well as monthly payments to some former militants. The programme, which cost the government billions of naira annually, has been maintained by successive governments.JAMB Result
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Although the amnesty programme led to an increase in oil production and reduced kidnappings in the region, it did not eliminate criminality as various heavily-armed gangs still operate there and oil theft is still rampant.
The rampant terrorism in the North-west is more recent compared to the Niger Delta militancy.
Terror gangs operating primarily in the North-west and North-central regions have sacked several rural communities, killing and abducting thousands of people.
Despite efforts by state governments in the region and security agencies, the gangs have continued to attack communities, killing and abducting travellers and other residents. Their activities have also led to the displacement of millions of people.
“These people are Nigerians and I believe that the Nigerian military and other security agencies have the capacity to deal with them squarely if directed and are given the resources they require, support and the political will.
“But the collateral damage that will be associated with the actions they will take is what I believe should be avoided. In the past, the late President Umaru Yar’adua had a similar interaction with militants of the Niger Delta and it was successful,” Mr Yerima said on Monday.
“The major causes of this problem are poverty and ignorance. So, I believe that as Nigerians, if they are called upon or if the government now comes up with a rehabilitation programme, I am sure we will have a successful end to this crisis,” he said.NYSC Portal
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