Negotiating with bandit groups is a flawed strategy that yields little to no results, according to the Governor of Zamfara State. Reflecting on past attempts to reach peace agreements, the governor questioned the track record of previous administrations and explained why peace talks with bandits ultimately fail.

 

### A Track Record of Failure

 

Looking back at earlier efforts to negotiate, the governor pointed out that dialogue has failed to bring lasting peace to the state.

 

> "If you look at the history of all the negotiations that took place under the previous administration, did they yield any positive results? The answer is no," he stated.

 

### Lack of Central Leadership

 

A major obstacle to successful negotiations is the fractured nature of bandit operations. Unlike structured organizations, bandit groups do not operate under a unified command structure, making it nearly impossible to broker binding peace deals.

 

According to the governor, holding talks with one group often backfires, prompting rival groups to launch attacks just to demonstrate their own power and demand recognition.

 

> "Remember, these people are not organized. If you decide to negotiate with A, another person will feel that you are underrating him. He will show you that he is also somebody to recognise. So, how do you negotiate with these kinds of people?" he asked.

 

### No Accountability

 

Because these armed groups function independently without a central leadership figure, holding them accountable to any peace agreement is virtually impossible.

 

"Nobody takes responsibility. Nobody takes leadership," the governor added. "They operate in isolation."