Rita Odafe
Bashir Ahmad’s Stance on Surrendered Bandits
Former media adviser to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, opposes the release of surrendered bandits without conditions.
Conditions for Release
Ahmad urged the Nigerian government to implement stringent measures before any negotiations with repentant bandits take place.
He expressed on social media that a clear and robust strategy is essential if the government plans to engage with these individuals, given the harm they have caused.
Ahmad emphasized that surrendered bandits should not be allowed to reintegrate freely; instead, they should be utilized to combat others still posing a threat to communities.
He asserted that these individuals must face accountability for any future misdeeds, stating that their surrender would be nullified if they were to cause harm again.
Ahmad concluded by insisting that there should be no room for leniency and that true remorse must be demonstrated through actions to help eliminate the very terror they once fostered.
Military Actions Against Banditry
Recently, the Nigerian military has intensified operations against bandits in the northern regions, resulting in the capture and neutralization of several prominent bandit leaders.
Notably, feared bandit leader Bello Turji remains elusive, evading military efforts in his sanctuary within Zamfara State.
