Sokoto State government has described its decision to negotiate with bandits who intend to lay down their arms as a lasting solution to the persistent attacks in the state.
Special Adviser to the state Governor on Security, Col Ahmed Usman (Rtd), said the government was not negotiating out of weakness.
He said the attention of the Sokoto State Government has been drawn to comments made by a social media commentator, criticizing the government’s efforts to explore non-violent pathways toward ending the cycle of banditry and insecurity affecting parts of the state.
Usman explained that the decision to adopt a multifaceted security strategy that includes dialogue and reconciliation with repentant bandits is to addressed the direct consequences of the challenge on food security and inflation across the state.
He urged critics to engage responsibly and constructively, as the state government continues to explore ways of improving the security challenges facing the State.