Rejects “Peace-for-Payment” Calls, Insists Bandits Must Be Eliminated
By Our Correspondent
Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has firmly rejected renewed calls by some northern political leaders and pressure groups for the Federal Government to negotiate with, and financially compensate, armed bandits and terrorist groups in exchange for peace.
Describing such a move as “rewarding mass murderers,” the Defence Minister insisted that the Federal Government would not pay nothing to criminals responsible for killings, abductions and destruction across parts of the country.
General Musa was reacting to reports that some northern elders had urged the Federal Government to adopt a “peace-for-payment” approach, similar to the Niger-Delta Amnesty Programme introduced in 2009 to end militancy in the oil-rich region.
“We are not paying a dime to any terrorists who kill people. We will go after them and eliminate all of them. The Niger Delta case is different. They were not killing people or burning down communities.
“You cannot compare armed bandits, Boko Haram, ISWAP and ISIS with Niger Delta militants,” Musa declared.
In recent months, several Northern leaders have advocated for dialogue and financial settlements with armed groups operating in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna and parts of Niger States, arguing that payments would secure the forests and reduce attacks on rural communities.
The proposal has, however, triggered nationwide outrage, particularly in the South-South or Niger Delta, where critics say equating Niger Delta militancy with violent extremist groups is misleading and offensive to the sensibilities of Nigerians.
The Defence Minister stressed that, the terrorists ravaging the North-West and North-East are responsible for mass killings, kidnappings, destruction of villages and the displacement of millions.
“You are dealing with people who massacre women and children, burn houses and wipe out entire communities.
“That is terrorism. Government cannot legitimize such evil by paying them,” he said.
A Niger-Delta rights advocate, who spoke to our correspondent, said even the description of Niger-Delta militancy required clarification.
“Point of correction: Niger Delta militants did not kill their own people or take them hostage for ransom. They agitated for resource control, environmental remediation and fair treatment. Their struggle was political and economic, not criminal,” he stated.
The activist accused northern political elites of distorting history to justify and appeasing violent groups.
“Those comparing Niger Delta militants with Fulani bandits, Boko Haram, ISWAP and ISIS are not helping Nigeria. These terrorists are products of failed leadership and decades of neglect in the North.
Their leaders must take responsibility instead of dragging other regions into their crisis,” he added.
Security analysts have also warned that paying bandits or terrorists would strengthen criminal networks, encourage copycat violence and weaken the authority of the Nigerian state.
They noted that the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme followed years of political engagement, community dialogue and economic reforms, not a cash-for-peace deal with criminal gangs.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s stance, General Musa said security agencies would continue a military-led strategy, supported by intelligence operations, to dismantle terror networks and restore peace.
“Nigeria will not surrender its sovereignty to criminals. We will pursue them relentlessly until peace is restored,” the Defence Minister said.
