The Zamfara State Government has ruled out negotiating with bandits to restore peace in the North-Western state.
In a statement on Tuesday, the government clarified that Governor Dauda Lawal was misquoted in an interview with BBC Hausa over the weekend.
Governor Lawal’s aide, Sulaiman Bala Idris, stated that some media outlets had deliberately misinterpreted the governor’s remarks to mislead the public.
He reaffirmed that security remains the administration’s top priority, and the state government has never considered talks with armed groups.
“No responsible government negotiates with killers from a position of weakness,” Idris said, adding that any discussion would require bandits to surrender unconditionally.
He further noted that the government’s strategy is yielding results, with many volatile areas now experiencing improved security.