Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has disclosed reasons his administration chose to tow the path of a peace deal instead of a violent approach with bandits terrorising some parts of the state. Kaduna has been consistently under attacks by bandits, especially during the last lap of President Buhari's administration who reign terror in most communities, especially in Chikun, Kagarko, Giwa, Kajuru, and Birnin Gwari local government areas of the state, in addition to blockade of Kaduna-Abuja highway.
The terrorist onslaught had resulted in the loss of many lives and the destruction of homes, farming activities, and other valuable properties in the
state.
However, with the coming of Dr Uba Sani on board as the governor, his approach to handling the terrorists was more of the carrot approach compared to that of his predecessor, Nasir Elrufa’i who vowed never to negotiate with terrorists.
The Governor, who granted an interview with BBC Hausa service, said the decision to opt for dialogue was driven by people’s pleas for an end to the violence, especially residents severely affected by the violence.
“It is the people affected by the violence that called for the dialogue.
For example, the Emir of Birnin Gwari has come with his subjects calling for dialogue.
“When I asked his reason, he said our communities have been plagued by the scourge of banditry, resulting in tragic loss of lives and abduction of our people, for over a decade now, with no lasting solution in sight.”
Sani said that following the pleas, he met with some critical stakeholders including the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu before finally deciding to initiate the peace deal.
He explained that the decision came after the bandits fulfil their promise and released 200 persons abducted in Giwa and Birnin Gwari local government areas of the state, expressing optimism that the deal would restore peace in the state was on sight and the it will enable farmers to return to their farms and businesses to bounce back.
Further speaking, the governor maintained that he’d it is better to negotiate with bandits if they are ready for peace than to lose a single resident of the state.
“I’d rather negotiate with bandits than to 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.”
Asked if the state government had paid money to the bandits to facilitate the peace talk, the governor said, “I want to assure you that not a single naira was paid to them.”
He disclosed that after involving the support and collaboration from traditional and religious leaders, and rigorous meetings which lasted for about six months before official announcement to the public.
Reacting on whether the initiative could be sustainable from the terrorist side, Sani dispelled fears of possible betrayal, insisting that the bandits’ release of 200 abducted persons gave indication that the deal has come to stay.
“They have released our people and now farming and business activities have resumed. We will continue to pray, and I am assuring that the relative peace we are enjoying now will be sustained.” he added.
Sani’s decision to engage in dialogue marks a significant departure from the stance of his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufa’i, who had consistently maintained that negotiating with bandits was not an option.
“We will not engage with bandits or kidnappers. Private citizens like clerics and clergymen can do so in their individual capacities, to preach to them and ask them to repent.”
“We also want them to repent but it is not our job to ask them to do so,’’ El-Rufa’i was reported to have said ng while speaking at an expended meeting of the Kaduna State Security Council and traditional rulers at the Council Chambers of Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Tuesday, March 16, 2021.