Agency report

The Federal Government has urged the Katsina State Government to support its new ‘Operation Save Corridor North-West,’ with the view to allowing the surrendering bandits to surrender their arms and release all kidnapped victims.

The General Officer Commanding, 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto State, Maj.-Gen. Ebikunle Ademola-Ajose made the call when he visited the Katsina governor, Dikko Radda, on Wednesday in Katsina.

He said that apart from the operational assessment visit to the states under him, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa also directed him to discuss with the state government based on the recent development.

Ademola-Ajose said, “This is because some bandits are saying that they want to negotiate. Candidly speaking, we are not in the business of negotiating this deal.

“But when you are trying to solve this wicked and perennial problem, a programme like this is something you look upon.

“The CDS directed me to inform you that the Federal Government has initiated Operation Save Corridor North-West. It is similar to the one initiated in the North-East.”

Ademola-Ajose, who is also the Theater Commander of Operation Fansan Yamma, covering Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Katsina states, added that the CDS had written to the four states on how they can partner in the programme.

According to him, the initiative will allow the surrendering bandits to surrender their arms, release all the hostages and reintegrate back into the society.

Responding, Radda said that the government had a security meeting and discussed issues related to the peace deal in the Batsari Local Government Area of the state.

“The meeting highlighted two things to be done and set up a committee to work on it. There should be a stakeholders’ engagement because we must have the buy-in of the community before we get acceptance in this deal.

“There must also be laid-down conditions to be forwarded to them for their acceptability or otherwise,” he said.

According to Radda, without the involvement of the community, it would not be successful, saying, ”This is because it had happened before. I have mentioned several times that I may not negotiate with the bandits. I will not beg them to come and negotiate with me.

“But, if they surrender and say they want to negotiate, the state government is willing to listen to them and provide all the necessary support for their lives and their animals.

“We are willing to do it, but we need to look at all the challenges and the pros and cons of it. They are our people, they were born here, including their parents and grandparents, but chose to be criminals. If they choose to be good people, we will be willing to accept them.”