Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has warned that allowing bandits to hold onto their weapons during peace talks is a dangerous and unproductive approach. He stated that genuine dialogue cannot take place when those involved in criminal activities are still armed and capable of launching attacks at any time.

According to the governor, negotiations should only happen after criminal groups have surrendered their weapons. He explained that peace talks are meant to secure the safety of communities, not give armed groups the confidence to continue terrorizing innocent people. He stressed that the only acceptable path to peace is disarmament before dialogue.

Governor Lawal added that previous negotiation strategies failed because the armed groups were never fully disarmed. As a result, they used the opportunity to reorganize, gain more strength, and continue violence across the state. He said the government has learned from past mistakes and will not repeat a strategy that puts citizens at risk.

He assured residents that his administration is committed to restoring peace through strong security measures and strategic engagement. However, he emphasized that peace must be built on justice and the rule of law, not on fear or threats from armed bandits who refuse to drop their weapons.

With rising insecurity in some northern states, the governor’s stance has sparked conversation on the best way to deal with bandits. Many Nigerians agree that peace talks must come with strict conditions, while others believe dialogue remains necessary but must be backed by firm security operations.