The Kaduna State Government has denied claims that any financial incentives were offered to bandits in exchange for surrendering their weapons.
Governor Uba Sani clarified this during an exclusive interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, following the reception of repentant bandits in the state.
“We did not give them one naira,” Governor Sani stated when asked if the state government had made financial arrangements for the bandits to lay down their arms.
He dismissed any notions of monetary exchange, stressing that the bandits’ decision to surrender stemmed from a deeper disillusionment with their former lifestyle.
“Most of them are tired. We sat down with them and asked them, ‘Why do you continue to remain in the bush just attacking our people, kidnapping them?’” he explained.
This statement follows a significant development on Thursday, when the state government welcomed the first batch of repentant bandits in Birnin-Gwari, a region historically plagued by banditry and insecurity.
The event marked the reopening of the cattle market, which had been closed for nearly a decade due to the activities of armed groups.
Governor Sani also ruled out any form of dialogue or negotiation with the bandits regarding their past crimes.
When questioned on whether the state had granted them forgiveness, the governor avoided giving a direct answer but emphasized the efforts it took to reach this stage.
“It is a process that took almost six months,” he said, underscoring the complexity of negotiations with those involved in such violent acts.
He acknowledged that Birnin-Gwari, in particular, has faced significant security challenges due to banditry and kidnapping.
The governor noted that the state’s efforts are part of a broader, coordinated approach involving federal security agencies and the office of the National Security Adviser.
“It is a collective effort,” he remarked, highlighting the need for joint action to address the security crisis that has ravaged many parts of the northwest.
While the state government is working on the disarmament, mobilization, and integration of the repentant bandits, Governor Sani affirmed that building trust among local communities and engaging stakeholders remains a central priority for his administration.
Kaduna, like many other states in northern Nigeria, has struggled with a surge in violence from bandit groups, which has exacerbated an already volatile security environment.
The violence, alongside conflicts between farming communities and herdsmen, has contributed to widespread insecurity across the region, further compounding Nigeria’s growing humanitarian crisis.
The state’s steps towards peace are seen as a hopeful but cautious approach to mitigating the violence that has displaced millions and threatened the region’s stability.
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