Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Governors of Nigeria’s North West region have taken a unified and uncompromising stance against banditry, declaring that they will not negotiate with criminals nor accept any terms from them unless the bandits surrender unconditionally. The firm position was announced by Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, during a public event in neighbouring Katsina State on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Speaking at the commissioning of the 12.6 billion naira, 8.1 kilometre Yandaki–Shinkafi–Kofar Sauri Road, a project executed by Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, Aliyu made it clear that the era of talks with terror groups plaguing the region is over. "We will not negotiate with any criminal, nor will we accept any offer from them unless they surrender unconditionally," Aliyu declared before an audience of traditional rulers, security chiefs, and community leaders.
The governor's statement comes at a time when banditry remains a devastating reality across much of North West Nigeria, including Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna, and Kebbi states. Thousands have been killed, entire villages emptied, and tens of thousands displaced over the past five years as criminal gangs, often operating from vast forest reserves, raid communities, kidnap for ransom, and burn farmlands. Previous administrations in some states had explored dialogue and even paid ransoms, a practice that many security analysts argue has only emboldened the gunmen. Governor Aliyu's declaration signals a collective decision by the region's governors to abandon any form of negotiation, a shift that aligns with the federal government's own no ransom, no negotiation policy announced in mid 2025, though enforcement has been inconsistent.
Aliyu revealed that the North West Governors' Forum, chaired by his Katsina State counterpart, has been meeting regularly to harmonise security strategies. He noted that substantial resources are being invested by the various state governments to tackle the menace, including funding for security agencies, logistics support, and community intelligence gathering. "We are united in our commitment to ending the insecurity bedevilling this region," he said, adding that the governors are fine tuning strategies in close collaboration with the military, police, and intelligence services. He did not provide specific operational details, but he stressed that the approach now focuses on overwhelming force, technological surveillance, and cutting off the supply lines of food, fuel, and information that keep banditry alive.
A crucial element of the new strategy, according to Aliyu, is the active participation of local communities in identifying and exposing informants. He urged residents across the North West to cooperate with the government and security agencies by reporting suspicious movements and, more pointedly, naming those who collaborate with bandits from within. "No bandit attack occurs without some level of local collaboration," Aliyu asserted. "We must do the needful at the community level by remaining vigilant and monitoring the movement of suspicious individuals." This call places a heavy responsibility on villagers and townspeople who have often lived in fear of reprisals from both the criminals and their local allies. Rights groups have previously warned that such anti informant campaigns, if not carefully managed, can lead to false accusations and communal tensions. However, the governor appealed for patience and courage, adding that the people must continue to pray for the success of ongoing efforts.
Governor Aliyu also used the platform to praise Governor Radda for pioneering the establishment of the Katsina State Community Guard, a state backed security outfit designed to complement the federal military and police forces. The Community Guard, which recruits local hunters, vigilantes, and retired security personnel, operates only within Katsina's borders and is tasked with intelligence gathering, patrols, and first response to attacks before federal troops arrive. Aliyu disclosed that he was so impressed after witnessing the inauguration of the Katsina guard that he returned to Sokoto and immediately established a similar corps. "I recall that immediately after witnessing the inauguration of the Katsina State Community Guard, I returned to Sokoto and established our own Community Guard Corps," he said, describing the initiative as impactful and capable of yielding tangible results.
Community guards have been controversial in some quarters. Critics argue that poorly trained state militias can exacerbate human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and ethnic profiling. Proponents, however, point to successes in nearby states like Zamfara, where local security arrangements have sometimes helped repel attacks while waiting for military air support. Governor Aliyu insisted that the Sokoto corps operates under strict supervision and coordination with the Nigerian Army and police, and that its members receive training on rules of engagement and human rights law. He did not provide specific figures on the size or budget of the Sokoto Community Guard Corps, but a previous government statement indicated that over 1,500 youths had been recruited in the first phase.
The commissioning of the Yandaki–Shinkafi–Kofar Sauri road, a project costing 12.6 billion naira, was itself a statement of intent. Governor Aliyu described the road as a critical infrastructure link that would open up rural economies and, crucially, improve security by enabling faster movement of troops and emergency response vehicles. Poor road networks in forested and remote areas have long been a major obstacle to security operations, allowing bandits to escape quickly into inaccessible terrain. By investing in roads, the governors are acknowledging that development and security are inseparable.
Reaction to the governors' no negotiation stance has been mixed. Some residents of affected communities expressed relief that the government is finally taking a harder line. "We are tired of paying ransom. Our people are poor. Let the government fight them properly," said Malam Idris Lawal, a farmer from Sabon Birni, Sokoto, who spoke to reporters via phone. However, others voiced concern that an outright rejection of dialogue could lead to more violence, as bandits may escalate attacks to force the government back to the table. Security expert Dr. Kabir Adamu noted that unconditional surrender is a rare outcome in asymmetric conflicts, and that the military would need to achieve decisive battlefield victories to make the demand meaningful. "The governors have taken a politically popular position, but the reality on the ground is that many bandits are deeply embedded and have invested their ransom millions in local economies. They will not simply walk into police stations," Adamu said.
Governor Aliyu concluded his address by commending the leadership of Governor Radda as chairman of the North West APC Governors' Forum, describing him as a visionary partner in the fight against banditry. As night fell on Katsina, the message from the region's political leaders was unambiguous: the window for negotiation has closed. Whether the bandits will surrender or simply dig in deeper remains the defining question for millions living in the shadow of fear.
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