The Northern Elders Progressive Group (NEPG) has urged governors in the North-West to open negotiations with bandits, saying it is better to spend state resources saving lives than to limit responses to condolence visits after attacks.
In a statement issued in Sokoto on Tuesday, the group’s North-West Coordinator, Mallam Yusuf Abubakar, expressed support for non-kinetic measures being promoted by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and other stakeholders. He said recent travels across the region suggested an improving security situation.
“Travelling recently from Sokoto to Gusau, and from Funtua to Zaria, I observed a more peaceful atmosphere. Compared to before, there is improvement in security, in patrols, and in the safety of commuters along that road,” Abubakar said.
Abubakar urged governors to prioritise dialogue over ceremonial responses and continuous military operations that strain security forces. “It is better for a governor to spend his resources on saving lives than spending billions on condolence. One life is far more important than any political gesture,” he said.
Responding to critics who oppose talks with criminal groups, Abubakar pointed to global precedents where states have engaged armed actors, saying such negotiations are about saving lives rather than a sign of weakness. “Even powerful nations have negotiated with groups like the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and the Houthis. Negotiation is not weakness; it is about saving lives,” he said.
He also criticised governors who publicly claim knowledge of bandits’ movements but do not share that intelligence with security agencies. “It is unbecoming of a leader to say he knows the movements of criminals but does nothing with the information. Such propaganda is irresponsible,” Abubakar said.
The NEPG defended the NSA and members of the committee leading the peace process, warning against politicising or ridiculing their efforts. “The Office of the National Security Adviser represents unity, peace, and security for the country. Attacking it is an attempt to destabilize the whole nation,” Abubakar warned.
The group commended Senator Shehu Buba, chairman of the Senate Committee on Intelligence, and other eminent Nigerians for helping to build dialogue frameworks between communities and bandits. “They have worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the dialogue despite being insulted and maligned by certain groups sponsoring lies and propaganda against them—especially targeting the positive initiatives of the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu,” Abubakar added.
The NEPG called on governors across the North-West to collaborate closely with the NSA, the Minister of Defence, and the Service Chiefs to ensure the success of the peace initiative.
