The Zamfara State Government has denied allegations that it paid large sums of money to bandit leaders for dialogue, labeling the claims as false and misleading. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abubakar Nakwada, addressed the issue on Thursday in Gusau, dismissing the circulated documents as forgeries designed to mislead the public and disrupt the administration’s efforts.
Nakwada stated that the documents, which falsely implicated top government officials, were part of a disinformation campaign. He emphasized that the government remains firm in its stance against negotiating with bandits and terrorists. The SSG reassured the public that the administration, under Governor Dauda Lawal, is committed to combating banditry with integrity and transparency.
The SSG also mentioned that security agencies are investigating the source of the false claims. Nakwada reiterated that previous attempts at dialogue with bandits had failed and only exacerbated the problem, thus reinforcing the administration’s decision to reject negotiations.
The state has implemented various measures to address security challenges, including the deployment of Community Protection Guards (Askarawa) and advanced surveillance systems. The SSG urged Zamfara residents to remain vigilant and support the government’s efforts to restore peace.
Additionally, the State Commissioner for Justice, Abdul’Aziz Sani, announced plans to take legal action against those responsible for fabricating and disseminating the false documents. The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mahmud Dantawasa, also refuted claims about unauthorized mining activities in the state, affirming adherence to federal policies on mining.