Taoreed Lagbaja, chief of army staff (COAS), has described the amnesty programme for bandits and terrorists in Zamfara and other states, as a failed programme.

Lagbaja spoke when he hosted Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The army chief said the programme failed to achieve its purposes in the past, noting that it only allowed criminals to regroup, reorganise and attack citizens.

“We also have the issue of the amnesty programme that has been instituted, and which has failed not only in Zamfara, but so many other states of the north-west,” Lagbaja said.

So, I think we need to look at this issue of the amnesty programme because the criminal elements have proven to be incorrigible. The issue of amnesty has created an avenue for them to regroup and reorganise to launch attacks on our defenceless citizens. So I think we need to look at that.”

The COAS thanked the governor for feedback on the activities of troops deployed to restore peace in the state. Lagbaja said he has directed the deployment of more platforms and the release of funds to reactivate unserviceable ones to boost troops’ operations in the state.

He noted that the Zamfara crisis is a mix of farmer-herder clashes, ethnic confrontations and the quest for economic empowerment driven by mining activities. He assured that the army is determined to tackle the security challenges in the state.

“We will not have a situation where some people constitute themselves into outlaws and just go into communities and kill children and defenceless women,” he said.

By working on this with the state government and other critical stakeholders, we can eliminate these outlaws and reduce the insecurities by a significant percentage.

“So I want to appeal to you your excellency that as we come up with this strategy to address the issue of the Yan Sakai and other regional groups, the state government should be disposed to the implementation of the measures that we will recommend. So that together, we will address the activities of these criminal elements.”

Earlier, Lawal said Zamfara has been facing challenging security threats and appealed for the support of the army. He said only a few operational vehicles in the state were serviceable, while cases of kidnapping and killing of innocent people are rampant.

“I will say without mincing words, that Zamfara is the state that is facing the most challenge in the area of insecurity today,” Lawal said. Therefore, for me, being the number one citizen, part of my responsibility is protecting lives and properties, but I cannot do this alone.

“I, therefore, need the support of the chief of army staff and his entire team in bringing peace to Zamfara, as well as Nigeria in general.” Lawal commended the efforts of the troops in restoring peace in the state and called for the deployment of more military wares to support their operations.

Widows of slain military officers and soldiers particularly those fighting the war against terrorism have protested the continuous release of murderous Boko Haram terrorists on the grounds that they have repented but....wants them punished like other criminals

"...The priority should be the victims, not the terrorists.They are the ones who need support, sympathy, counselling & reconciliation which unfortunately, the Nigerian government has refused to focus on.

The government is pampering these terrorists, who have committed atrocities against innocent people – women, men and children.

"Boko Haram should lay their arms unconditionally, be accepted in the community and rehabilitated. An ex Boko Haram having laid his arms stands to be a president of this country. He stands to aspire to any position in this country.

FourQu:
All Nigerian terrorist organizations have been receiving amnesty from the government in one form or the other.

Except the alleged ipob terrorist the amnesty money no reach to settle those ones.

Absuchat:

How much has OPC received so far?

FourQu:


Opc in conjunction with tinubu are the one’s sharing the amnesty money together in this regime. They are like the current class captain of terrorist organizations in Nigeria today.

Absuchat:

Oh I see... Well they (OPC) deserve that spot(head captain) after all, they are the pioneers of terrorism in Nigeria

Beremx:
Nice one from the Army Chief.

Watch how terrorist sponsors will start panicking. All terrorists terrorizing Nigerians in every part of the country should be eliminated. They don't deserve amnesty