The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has criticised the Federal Government’s meeting with terrorists in Zamfara State.
HURIWA said the approach of the feferal government reeks of an advocate of terrorism.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued by the National Coordinator of HURIWA, Mr. Emmanuel Onwubiko on Friday, October 6, 2023.
The civil society organisation disclosed that ‘the dialogue with terrorists who have proven cases of bloodletting, attacks, kidnappings of female students, and mass killings by Fulani armed insurgents in the North-west is a betrayal of the Nigerian people and a violation of their human rights.’
Commenting further, the group alleged that the federal government is not consistent in the attempt to end insecurity in the North.
Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal had accused the federal government of negotiating with terrorists in the state without his notice.
According to a statement by his Spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, the governor said: “Reports indicated that a delegation allegedly sent by some agencies of the Federal Government has been holding talks with bandit groups in Zamfara without the knowledge of the State Government.”
He condemned the steps of some federal government agencies involved in dialogue with terrorists without informing the state government and other security oufits.
“Governor Dauda Lawal wishes to call on the Federal Government to clarify and investigate the actions of some unscrupulous elements sabotaging the ongoing fight against banditry in Zamfara. The Zamfara State Government has received reports of how some Federal Government delegation met with different bandit groups in Birnin Magaji, Maradun, Mun haye, Ajah, Bawo, and Bagege.
“Previous administrations in the State failed to achieve positive outcomes in their attempts to engage in dialogue with bandits. We must learn from these past mistakes and adopt a new approach to restore peace in Zamfara,” Mr Idris said.
Mr. Idris emphasized the governor’s words, saying his government would not negotiate with terrorists.
“Ensuring the fight against banditry is a top priority of Zamfara State Government, and we cannot afford to make any compromises in our efforts. We urge the Federal Government to take swift action by terminating the ongoing negotiations with the bandits in Zamfara, as it undermines progress so far,” he stated.
The group also said Bello Matawalle, the immediate former governor, who was defeated by Mr Lawal; the present Minister of State for Defence and a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) supported peace deals and negotiations with terrorists while he was governor of the state from 2019 to 2023.
Similarly, HURIWA claimed that Abdulaziz Yari, Mr Matawalle’s predecessor, also had a peace dialogue with terrorists when he was the governor.
The group encouraged the federal government to tackle insecurity in the country, without any form of political sentiments.
HURIWA also asked for the intervention of international community and human rights organisations in tackling the insecurity in Nigeria.
