By As the Federal Government as well as state governors continue its fight against armed banditry ravaging most parts of the country, particularly the Northern Nigeria, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), a former Nigerian military head of state, has said dialogue is not the best option to end the crisis.
According to Channels TV, the former military leader made this known when he received a delegation of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) at his residence in Minna, Niger state.
Abdulsalami stated that ensuring crimes aren’t committed is the best way to solve the problems of banditry amongst other security issues in Nigeria, adding that the nation’s security architecture must be beefed up to deal with the menace.
The former military leader, however, admitted that negotiations may have to be considered especially in a situation where the people have already been kidnapped.
Speaking about the Kagara school abduction, Abdulsalami said it will be reckless for the security agencies to use force in a bid to secure the students and other victims even if they know their location, adding that some of the abductees may be killed in the process.
“Dialogue is not the best way but when you are the one wearing the shoe, what will you do? Our children have been abducted for over five days, even if you know where they are, it will be foolhardy to storm there and fight them because there may be casualties,” the former military leader said.
He added: “Sometimes there is a need to see the best way you can talk to these heartless people to see how you can get these people released. But dialogue is not the best way.
“The law enforcement agencies need to work together to map new strategies on how to deal with the problem.”
