The Zamfara State Government stated on Tuesday that it has no plans to communicate or negotiate with terrorists or other criminal groups, but will instead wage war on them until they are eradicated from the state.
Abubakar Nakwada, Secretary to the State Government, revealed this when speaking to journalists about the actions of Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration and that of his immediate predecessor, Bello Matawalle.
Matawalle’s government had initiated a peace dialogue with the bandits which was later stopped in September 2021 due to persistent bandit attacks on rural communities in the state.
Nakwada however stated that the current administration had no plan to initiate any reconciliation efforts or have discussions with the terrorists.
Rather, the SSG said the mission of Lawal’s government is to go after the such criminals wherever they may be hiding to flush them out of the state and restore order and peace.
He expressed the administration’s commitment to ensuring accurate record-keeping, transparency and accountability in governance.
Nakwada warned that any public official who falls short of these ideals in the discharge of his or her duty would face the consequences.
Meanwhile, the SSG has revealed that the state government is in talks with the National Examination Council (NECO) to resolve the three years backlog of unpaid examination fees by the past administration.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government accused the immediate past administration of expending N17.5 billion for the construction of the International Cargo Airport, saying nothing meaningful was done on the project.
The state government also announced the immediate suspension of all permanent secretaries that were appointed after the 2023 general elections, as well as all newly created districts and village heads appointed from December 2022 to May 2023.
It also revoked all landed properties in some areas in Gusau that were considered not to have been done in the interest of the public.
Nakwada also assured workers and pensioners that the state government under the leadership of Governor Lawal planned to pay salaries for June and pension allowances this Tuesday to enhance their welfare and quality of life.