Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has defended his administration’s decision to negotiate with bandits, emphasizing that preserving human lives is paramount. The governor explained that only those directly affected by the violence could fully understand and appreciate the rationale behind the peace deal.
In an interview with the BBC Hausa service, monitored in Kaduna, Governor Sani stated that the decision was driven by appeals from victims and community leaders. Kaduna has long been plagued by banditry, with relentless attacks in areas such as Chikun, Kagarko, Giwa, Kajuru, and Birnin Gwari local government areas, as well as on major highways, leading to significant loss of lives and property.
“The people affected by the violence called for the dialogue,” Sani said. “For example, the Emir of Birnin Gwari and his subjects pleaded for negotiations. He told me, ‘Our communities have been plagued by banditry for over a decade, resulting in the tragic loss of lives and abductions, with no lasting solution in sight.’”
The governor revealed that the peace initiative came after consultations with critical stakeholders, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. He added that the release of 200 abducted persons from Giwa and Birnin Gwari local government areas further justified the move.
Governor Sani expressed hope that the peace deal would restore normalcy, allowing farmers to return to their fields and businesses to recover. “I’d rather negotiate with bandits than bear the weight of a single life lost in Kaduna. If not, I will be held accountable on the day of resurrection, having promised and sworn an oath,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), a leading northern socio-cultural organization, has declared its full support for Governor Sani’s initiative. Speaking to LEADERSHIP, ACF spokesman, Prof. T.A. Muhammad Baba, commended the peace deal as a pragmatic step towards ending banditry in Kaduna State.
