The Kaduna State Government says it never appointed any group or
individual to negotiate on its behalf with bandits.
The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel
Aruwan, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
Aruwan said anyone caught negotiating with bandits on government’s
behalf, would be prosecuted.
The statement read, “The attention of the Kaduna State Government under
the leadership of Governor Nasir El-Rufai has been drawn to reports in
the media that it has appointed representatives to interface with
bandits on its behalf.
“The Kaduna State Government hereby clarifies firmly that such
intermediaries have never been appointed.
“The position of the Kaduna State Government remains the same: the
government will not negotiate with or pay ransoms to bandits.
“Any person who claims to do so in any capacity, if found, will be
prosecuted accordingly.
“Citizens are urged to report the details of any persons posing as
official government negotiators to the Kaduna State Security Operations
Room on 09034000060 and 08170189999, or email
internal.security@kdsg.gov.ng.
Bandits had in March invaded the Federal College of Forestry
Mechanisation, Afaka in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna state
and abducted 39 students comprising 23 females and 16 males.
Few days later, the gunmen kidnapped teachers from UBE Primary School in
Rama, a village in Birnin Gwari LGA of the state.
The bandits have failed to release them after many days in captivity.