Ajirioghene Imah
The Zamfara State Government has debunked a statement saying the Governor, Dr. Dauda Lawal, is playing politics with the security in the State.
This was disclosed in a press release by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris.
According to him,the state government appreciates security agents and Federal Government institutions for the prompt effort to rescue the abducted students of the Federal University, Gusau.
Idris stated that Federal Government institutions are empowered by law to spring to action, with or without prompting in order to ensure safe return of citizens illegally taken hostage, like in the case of these hapless students.
The statement reads, “The fact that details of such delicate operations are not revealed by the institutions responsible does not make it in any way surreptitious, as the Zamfara State Government atrociously described this effort.
“For the avoidance of doubt, that no official of the Federal Government is engaged in negotiation with any bandit or group of bandits. The government, however, maintains its resolve to explore every available avenue that can lead to de-escalation of tension and bring back peace to communities ravaged by banditry.
“However, if communities decide to borrow a leaf from what has helped quench unrest in other parts of the country to engage themselves in dialogue, the Federal Government would not be in a haste to condemn such people-driven initiative.” He said
The Minister however assured Nigerians that the Federal Government and its institutions are working assiduously to turn around the current situation and bring an end to the ebbing cases of banditry, kidnapping and all forms of criminality.
He further maintained that the Federal Government is willing to listen and continue its ongoing engagement with all stakeholders across the country in working out a lasting solution to security problems.
