We didn’t mandate anyone to negotiate with bandits — Defence ministers… 

The federal government said yesterday it didn’t mandate anyone to negotiate with bandits on its behalf.

Recall that the governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, had in a statement by his spokesman, Sulaiman Bala Idris, alleged on Monday that some federal agencies were secretly negotiating with bandits terrorising the state without his knowledge.

The statement had read: ”Governor Dauda Lawal wishes to call on the federal government to clarify and investigate the actions of some unscrupulous elements sabotaging the ongoing fight against banditry in Zamfara.

”The Zamfara State government has received reports of how some federal government delegation met with different bandit groups in Birnin Magaji, Maradun, Munhaye, Ajjah, Bawo and Bagega.

”We urge the federal government to take swifet action by terminating the ongoing negotiations with the bandits in Zamfara, as it undermines progress so far.”

But the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and his minister of state counterpart, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, debunked the governor’s claim/allegation.

”The said allegation is false and misleading as the ministry has not mandated any body or group to negotiate on behalf of federal government,” he said.

On the kidnap of Zamfara female varsity students by bandits last weekend, the ministers reassured the people of Zamfara and Nigerians of the progress being made for the quick return of the abducted female students and others of Federal University, Gusau.

The duo expressed confidence that the joint security task forces were working discreetly round the clock to get the students rescued.