Chief acting head of the Presidential Task Force on Banditry in Zamfara has publicly disavowed any form of negotiation with bandits—even as a new truce unfolds, underscoring the fragile balance between engagement and enforcement.
Zamfara Truce Amid Violence, Yet State Governor Firmly Denounces Negotiation Strategy
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A fresh agreement has emerged between bandit leader Bello Turji and federal authorities in Zamfara State, even as Zamfara’s Governor Dauda Lawal reiterates that his administration will never negotiate with bandits—a statement clarifying his hardline security stance.
- August 9, 2025 — Reports confirm that Bello Turji, a notorious bandit kingpin, reached a temporary truce with federal authorities after three meetings led by clerics in Fakai village .
- February 2025 — Gov. Dauda Lawal’s office issued a statement insisting “negotiating with bandits is nothing but a ‘snipe hunt’,” reaffirming that any engagement must be on government terms: “we will not negotiate from a position of weakness” .
- Historical context — Peace deals in Zamfara have often failed, allowing bandits to remain armed while using truces strategically—raising concerns that the region’s underlying problems remain unresolved .
“Negotiating with bandits is nothing but a ‘snipe hunt’… no responsible government will negotiate with killers from a position of weakness.” — Gov. Dauda Lawal’s spokesperson, February 2025 .
Zamfara State has repeatedly grappled with bandit violence—kidnappings, extortion, and rural terror. Peace accords, like the one brokered by clerics with Bello Turji, have often served as temporary pauses rather than pathways to lasting security. Critics warn banditry remains lucrative, and the “peace” measures have failed to address systemic poverty, lack of state presence, or conflict over resources .
A local conflict analyst notes that while the truce may bring short respite, without parallel economic reinvestment—or restoring trust via community security structures—the accord risks being just another “pause” before violence resurfaces.
Watch for updates on whether the federal government will detail enforcement measures, and whether the Zamfara administration will align or distance itself further. Community leaders and security think tanks are expected to weigh in on whether renewed truces can evolve into enforceable peace.
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- AFP via The Guardian — truce with Bello Turji
- Official statement from Gov. Lawal’s office — anti-negotiation stance
- Analyst reports on past truces and fragility of such peace accords
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