A former Nigerian head of state has warned that Nigeria will not overcome security challenges by negotiating with bandits.
Abdulsalami Abubakar
The federal and state governments in Nigeria have been told that the solution to Nigeria's lingering security problems is not to negotiate with bandits.
Former Nigeria head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd) revealed this while speaking with reporters after a meeting with the Nigeria Governors Forum held at Minna.
He explained that the best way to solve Nigerians insecurity challenges is to ensure that crimes are not committed in the first place.
He, however, said negotiating with bandits can help save the lives of the kidnapped victims, but Nigeria needs good security that can checkmate miscreants and social misfits who would want to turn into bandits, thereby halting their plans even before they executive it.
Commenting on the Kangara abduction, Abdulsalami said it wouldn’t be a wise decision for anyone to storm the hideout of terrorists to rescue abducted students and residents of the states.
“Even if anyone knows the location of students, it will be foolhardy to storm the place in a bid to fight and bring them back. In the process, some innocent lives will be lost,” he said.
He further encourages the authorities to ensure that security intelligence is beefed up to prevent further occurrences. He also advised that manpower should also be increased.
“Nigeria’s security architecture is overstretched, and the Police Force is underpopulated, hence the need for support from the citizens and an increase in manpower.
“Nigeria must go back to the time when brotherly love existed. Let us go back to when we were our brothers’ keeper,” Abdulsalami pleaded.