Bandits negotiation: Ex APGA scribe, Sani Shinkafi asks FG to ignore Zamfara Gov

By Ochiaka Ugwu

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Chairman of Prosecution of Armed Banditry Related Offences in Zamfara State, Sani Shinkafi has accused Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal of frustrating efforts of the Federal Government and security agencies to restore security and peace in the state by his unguarded outburst that the Federal Government was negotiating with bandits to restore order.
In a statement he issued through the auspices of Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development (PAPS), Shinkafi, who was National Secretary of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), also urged the federal government to ignore Governor Lawal’s allegation of secret talks with bandits, saying the Governor was fully represented in the negotiation by his Commissioner.
“His Commissioner for Supervision of Government Policies and Budget Implementation Unit, Nasiru Ibrahim Zurmi Represented him in peace talk”, the statement said
Pointing out that a Commissioner appointed by the Governor, Shinkafi said it is outrageous that the Governor of Zamfara State will seek cheap publicity by playing politics with the lives of the people at a time the state is under siege by armed bandits.
“The misguided, mischievous and irresponsible statement by Governor Lawal is the height of executive rascality and recklessness that have fueled and worsened insecurity in Zamfara State since he assumed office.
“The responsibility of any government is to serve the people, provide security and deliver dividends of democracy, not carnage, terrorism, insurgency, militancy, banditry and kidnapping for ransom as obtainable in Zamfara State today.
“It is unfortunate that the governor who ought to be the chief security officer of the state and work in synergy with the nation’s security agencies and stakeholders in the state to restore security and order will be the one to frustrate attempts to bring peace to Zamfara State by making a mockery of various efforts by the nation’s military personnel in collaboration with respected leaders to make Zamfara State safe again.
“I am shell-shocked that the governor would be economical with the truth when he asserted that the Federal Government was negotiating with bandits in the state as if he was not part of a peace dialogue held at Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of the state between the military, traditional rulers, Fulani leaders, community leaders, vigilante groups and bandit leaders with a view to restoring peace in the state, where the governor was duly represented by his Commissioner for Supervision of Government Policies and Budget Implementation Unit, Nasiru Ibrahim Zurmi. There are pictures and video clips to attest to this crucial peace dialogue which if sustained would have restored the much desired security in the state.”