Adebayo Shittu, former Minister of Communication, has called on the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to adopt a strategy of promising bandits a hopeful future through negotiation, aiming to facilitate their reintegration into society. Shittu emphasized that many of these bandits are capable individuals whom the government should consider retaining.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Shittu endorsed a non-kinetic approach to addressing banditry, asserting its potential to yield significant results.
“If I were in a position of authority, it is not too late to employ non-kinetic measures in negotiating with bandits, offering them a promising future. Let us consider retaining them. Many possess intelligence and physical capabilities,” Shittu stated.
Highlighting the prevalence of millions of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria, the former minister characterized it as a “production factory for banditry” within the country.
Shittu’s remarks coincide with calls from controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, who has urged the Federal Government to engage in dialogue with bandits.
Gumi cautioned Tinubu against emulating the approach of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who refrained from negotiating with bandits.
