Ex-NBA chairman says Negotiation with bandits ‘reprehensible’ but….

EBENEZER ADUROKIYA, Warri

Former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Warri Branch, Chief Emmanuel Uti, has warned that Nigerians may have no option but to negotiate with bandits and terrorists if the government continues to fail in its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.

Chief Uti made this known while reacting to a recent pledge by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), who, during his Senate screening, insisted that the Federal Government would not engage in negotiations with criminal groups.

His remarks follow reports and a viral video suggesting that some local government chairmen in Katsina State have reached truce arrangements with bandits in their areas, raising national concern over inconsistent security approaches.

Chief Uti described the idea of negotiating with bandits as “reprehensible,” but stressed that desperate measures often arise when the state is unable to safeguard its citizens as expected.

He stated: “The issue of negotiating with bandits is reprehensible, but where a government has failed to protect its subjects, its subjects would have no alternative but to negotiate.”

The legal practitioner emphasised that security and welfare remain the primary duties of government as clearly outlined in Chapter 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

Chief Uti urged the authorities to adopt every necessary measure within the ambit of the law to ensure the safety of Nigerians and restore public confidence in the nation’s security architecture.