Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has taken a firm public stance against state-level negotiations with bandits, describing such engagements as fundamentally flawed and counterproductive to national security operations.
In a recent interview with BBC Hausa, Musa articulated a position rooted in skepticism about the reliability of criminal groups and concern over the operational complications these agreements create for federal security forces.
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“Negotiation with bandits is not a way out, those people are not real, whenever they come for reconciliation, they need something,” Musa stated in Hausa, cutting to what he sees as the transactional and deceptive nature of such arrangements.
His assessment reflects a broader philosophical disagreement with the approach some state governments have adopted in attempting to restore security through dialogue rather than military action alone.
The minister’s critique centers on the inherent untrustworthiness of armed groups. “What’s happening in Katsina we told them, don’t ever make the mistake of reconciling with those people, they are liars,” he said, specifically referencing recent developments in Katsina State. “We begged people to stop negotiating with them and the government should stop. It’s not right and they will surely come back again. They don’t fear God,” the defence chief said.
This warning came as the Katsina State Government moved forward with plans to release 70 persons suspected of involvement in banditry as part of efforts to sustain an ongoing peace deal. The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Muazu, defended the decision by pointing to tangible outcomes, including the release of approximately 1,000 abducted persons across at least 15 local government areas. Muazu drew historical parallels, comparing the arrangement to prisoner exchanges that occur during wartime.
A leaked government letter dated January 2, 2026, revealed that the state had requested judicial intervention to facilitate the release of suspects facing criminal trials. The document showed that 48 suspects accused of banditry-related offences had been identified, with some already arraigned and others awaiting trial. An additional 22 inmates were also listed for possible release under the same arrangement.
For Musa, such initiatives represent a direct impediment to military effectiveness. “We already informed them it damages our work, we asked them to stop, you know it’s democracy now not military rule. But we are in talk with them,” he explained, acknowledging constitutional limits on federal authority while expressing frustration at the constraints this creates.
The minister’s position rests on an assessment that armed groups lack the foundation necessary for reliable agreements. His assertion that bandits “don’t fear God” reveals the reality that these actors operate outside conventional frameworks of accountability, making any commitment they offer inherently suspect. This worldview implies that peace deals may provide only temporary respite while allowing criminal networks to regroup strategically.
The tension highlights competing theories about addressing Nigeria’s persistent insecurity. Katsina State’s strategy appears guided by pragmatism focused on immediate humanitarian outcomes, especially the recovery of kidnapped persons and reduction of violence. Musa’s counter-argument emphasizes the risk of establishing precedents that embolden criminal enterprises. If armed groups learn that violence can be leveraged into the release of captured associates, the incentive structure may favor continued criminality rather than genuine disarmament.
The minister extended his logic to ransom payments. “Paying ransom is not good. People should stop paying ransom when they kidnap people. Report should be made and actions will be taken,” he stated, adding that the federal government does not engage in such transactions.
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At the heart of the debate lies a fundamental question: Are these groups political actors with addressable grievances, or purely criminal enterprises? Musa’s characterisation treats them firmly as the latter: opportunistic, untrustworthy, and incompatible with peaceful coexistence.
Philip Ibitoye is a Special Correspondent with EKO HOT BLOG. Click here to find daily analysis and critical insight on trending issues in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
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