Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has warned that dialogue with bandits may bring short-term peace but will not solve the deep-rooted security crisis in Nigeria’s North West region.
Speaking on Tuesday, Sani said the violent criminals responsible for countless killings, kidnappings, and rapes cannot be permanently reformed through talks alone. He said bandits live “by the sword” and must be brought to justice or eliminated.
Posting on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Sani wrote, “Dialogue with the bandits can bring temporary peace, and that is a big relief for the affected communities and the victims; but it will not permanently save the evil men who have spilled the blood of thousands of innocent people.”
He described bandit gang leaders as ruthless criminals who have caused untold suffering across North West Nigeria, including Katsina and Zamfara states.
“These notorious criminals live by the sword. They are bandit gang leaders who killed and kidnapped thousands in North West Nigeria. They raped women. They are supposed to be brought to justice or outrightly eliminated in the theatre of operations, but our security forces repeatedly failed,” Sani said.
Sani recalled that former Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari once tried negotiating with bandits, but the peace efforts failed. He also pointed out that bandits from Katsina and Zamfara have a history of breaking agreements, even when religious leaders like Sheikh Gumi were involved.
“Ex-Governor Masari once tried the dialogue option in Katsina, but it failed. Katsina and Zamfara bandits have records of infidelity to agreements, even with the presence of Sheikh Gummi,” Sani said.
The former senator expressed skepticism about the new dialogue attempts and warned that only time would reveal whether they would succeed.
“This renewed attempt will be left to be seen. The shedding of innocent blood must come to an end, by any means practicable,” he added.
Nigeria’s North West region has been plagued by banditry for several years, with armed gangs attacking villages, killing civilians, kidnapping for ransom, and disrupting economic activities.
Efforts to contain the crisis have included military operations, community vigilante groups, and attempts at negotiation with some bandit groups. However, the violence has continued, causing displacement and insecurity.
While some state governments have pursued dialogue and amnesty programs to encourage bandits to lay down arms, critics argue that such moves often embolden criminals and delay lasting solutions.
Shehu Sani’s comments reflect a growing frustration with the failure of dialogue alone to end the violence. His call for stronger security responses aligns with many Nigerians who want decisive action against bandits.
As the government explores new strategies to tackle the crisis, the challenge remains how to restore peace without compromising justice or encouraging more violence.
