The Nigerian Army has firmly rejected the idea of granting amnesty to bandits terrorizing the North West region of the country. The army has instead called on governors to provide them with a free hand to eliminate the criminal elements.
During a meeting with Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal at Army Headquarters in Abuja, Chief of Army Staff Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja emphasized the need to reconsider the amnesty program. Lagbaja stated that the criminal elements have proven to be incorrigible and that the amnesty program has provided them with opportunities to regroup, reorganize, and launch further attacks. He urged the governors to empower the troops to eliminate all criminal elements without restrictions.
The army’s stance comes in response to recent calls by former Governor Sani Yerima for bandits to be granted amnesty. Yerima suggested that President Bola Tinubu negotiate with the terror groups operating in Zamfara State and other parts of the Northwest, drawing a parallel with the amnesty program implemented for militants in the Niger Delta during the administration of former President Umar Yar’Adua. However, the Nigerian Army has rejected this approach and emphasized the need to intensify efforts to combat and eradicate the banditry and terrorism plaguing the region.
The army warned the criminals to leave the country immediately, cautioning that they would be closely monitored and prevented from entering other parts of Nigeria if they attempt to flee the North West zone. The focus remains on eliminating the threat posed by these criminal elements rather than granting them amnesty.
