“Peace Deals Always Favour Bandits, Not Their Victims” — Atiku

Atiku Abubakar has criticised ongoing negotiations between government authorities and armed bandits, saying such arrangements consistently advantage the criminals while leaving victims without justice.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, the former vice-president said bandits routinely violate the terms of peace agreements reached with state governments, making the deals ineffective and counterproductive.

According to Atiku, deterrence is weakened when government officials negotiate from a position of desperation. He argued that peace efforts lose credibility when bandits are allowed to set the terms.

He said he does not oppose dialogue as a tool to end violence, but warned against negotiations that reward armed groups and undermine the rule of law.

“Those peace deals always favour the bandits more than their victims, and they have repeatedly deceived government negotiators,” he said.

Atiku also faulted what he described as reactive security responses, urging authorities to act proactively rather than waiting for attacks to occur. He noted that public confidence has waned due to the gap between official statements and tangible outcomes.

“Nigerians are more interested in results than rhetoric,” he said, adding that repeated condemnations have failed to curb attacks or abductions.

Several states, including Katsina, have pursued negotiations with bandits in a bid to reduce violence. The Katsina State Government has reportedly begun processes to release about 70 suspected bandits in custody, describing the move as part of efforts to strengthen community-based peace agreements with individuals it termed “repentant bandits” across some local government areas.

Atiku, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said the Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration must be held accountable for its campaign pledge to address insecurity.

He said the APC, while in opposition, held previous administrations to strict standards on security and should now be judged by the same measure.

He also condemned the abduction of more than 100 residents in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, describing the attacks as evidence that armed groups continue to operate with little resistance.

Atiku expressed concern that claims of success in peace negotiations contrast sharply with ongoing attacks and kidnappings in several communities.

“It is deeply troubling that non-state actors continue to attack communities and take hostages without effective challenge,” he said.