A Former Governor of Zamfara State, Sani Yerima has urged President Bola Tinubu to dialogue with bandits terrorizing Nigeria.
According to Yerima, while some of the bandits were foreigners, Tinubu should speak to them just as the late Former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua spoke to militants in the Niger Delta.
Yerima, who introduced Sharia law in Zamfara in 1999 made the call on Saturday in an interview with BBC Hausa.
He said:
“I’m advising the government to, first of all, find time to sit with these bandits, just like they sat with Niger Delta militants in the past. Because a majority of them are Nigerians, even though there are some foreigners among them.
“But Nigerians among them can be convinced, as the Niger Delta militants were convinced and empowered to stop.
“If that fails, then the government can use force on them wherever they are.”
Yerima’s defense of the outlaw gangs that have killed many across the country and kidnapped civilians for ransom comes 23 years after she introduced Sharia law in Zamfara state.
Under his government in 2000, following a ruling by the Zamfara Sharia Court, Bello Buba Jangebe was amputated for stealing a cow.
Similarly, in 2001, Lawali Isa, who had stolen a bicycle, had his wrist cut open.
