The Government of Sokoto State Government has clarified that its decision to dialogue with repentant bandits terrorizing the city is part of its strategy to curb insecurity in the state and restore peace.
This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Col. Ahmed Usman (retd), on Friday.
This is coming after a social media commentator Mr. Basharu Giyawa, criticized the decision questioning the rationale behind ongoing peace overtures to armed groups willing to lay down their weapons.
Responding, the government, in the statement said that it has adopted the strategy because it respects freedom of expression.
The statement read in part; “It is necessary to clarify the intentions behind Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s multi-pronged security approach, one that combines both force and reconciliation.
“It is worth noting, with some irony, that Mr. Giyawa himself had at some point expressed willingness to mediate between the state and those who have taken up arms.
“It is therefore surprising that he now criticizes a similar effort by the government he once sought to assist.”
“We are not negotiating from a position of weakness, but rather implementing a balanced, human-centered approach to end years of violence that have devastated communities in Rabah, Goronyo, Isa, Sabon Birni, and other local government areas.
“Our people are living with the daily trauma of displacement. Farmers have abandoned their fields, food production has collapsed, and economic life has been crippled. The impact is visible in rising food prices and growing insecurity.
While he stressed that the approach is meant to give a chance to those who are willing to renounce violence and restore peace in the state, Col. Usman reiterated that security forces have been deployed to necessary areas and are active.
He emphasized that; “This is not appeasement, this is strategic reconciliation for long-term peace and development.”
While Usman reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property, he said they are actively trying to create a pathway for genuine reintegration and rebuilding across affected regions of the state.
He further implored critics to be more constructive.
