On Tuesday, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal declared that he possessed sufficient information to reveal the Federal Government operatives who were engaged in a covert agreement with criminals.
Lawal was responding to a recent claim made by Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, that the Zamfara State Government was politicizing security.
The Governor of Zamfara disclosed in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant, Sulaiman Bala Idris, that the State Government has concrete proof that implicates certain Federal Government agents in talks with bandits in Zamfara.
He went on to say that before casting doubt on the State Government, the Minister of Information had to have carried out a comprehensive investigation.
The statement went on to say: “Without consulting the State Government or the leaders of the State’s security services, we requested explanation from the Federal Government regarding the sly conversations with bandits that some of its agents were involved in.
“We have information and proof of the events that took place during the talks in various locations throughout Zamfara between these Federal Government emissaries and the bandits.
It is disheartening that the minister of information rejected our assertion without first conducting due diligence. As a professional, he should work with the appropriate authorities to verify the veracity of the claim.
The Zamfara State Government honors convention and established power. We wouldn’t reveal the identities of the Federal Government operatives engaged in the clandestine talks with bandits to the public.
We would like to make it clear that it is not the State Government but rather those persons who are conducting covert talks with bandits in Zamfara who are politicizing insecurity.
It is necessary to provide further context for the Information Minister’s allegation that there were no talks between government representatives and bandits in Zamfara. A few places where these discussions were held with bandits have previously come to light; these include Birnin Magaji, Maradun, Mun Haye, Ajah, Bawo, and Bagege.
“We cannot afford to make the serious mistake of negotiating with bandits in Zamfara. It doesn’t address the issue; instead, it merely gives thieves more confidence and encouragement. We implore the federal government to vigorously condemn these kinds of actions and look into the motivations of individuals who partake in them.
