Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal has slammed the Federal Government for engaging in secret talks with some groups of bandits in the state.

The governor revealed this in a statement made available on Monday by his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Sulaiman Idris.

Lawal said some agencies of the Federal government have been holding a secret meetings with different terrorist groups in Birnin Magaji, Maradun, Mun haye, Ajah, Bawo, and Bagege without the knowledge of the state government.

Idris reiterated Mr Lawal’s stand that his administration would not negotiate with terrorists.

The statement 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 delegations met with different bandit groups in Birnin Magaji, Maradun, Mun Haye, Ajah, Bawo, and Bagege.

“Previous administrations in the state failed to achieve positive outcomes in their attempts to engage in dialogue with bandits. We must learn from these past mistakes and adopt a new approach to restore peace in Zamfara.

The Zamfara State Government has taken a firm stance from the beginning—we will not negotiate with these criminals.

“Ensuring the fight against banditry is a top priority of Zamfara State Government, and we cannot afford to make any compromises in our efforts. We urge the Federal Government to take swift action by terminating the ongoing negotiations with the bandits in Zamfara, as it undermines progress so far.”

Mr Lawal, member of the PDP defeated the former governor, Bello Matawalle, candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

Reacting to the governor’s statement, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, expressed disappointment with the state governor, for what he perceives as a politicisation of the abduction of students of the Federal University of Gusau.

Idris said instead of acknowledging the swift efforts of security agents and federal government institutions in rescuing the students, the governor, according to him, has chosen to exploit the situation for political gain.