NIPSS DG Supports Negotiation with Bandits for Safety

Ayo Omotayo, the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), expressed that negotiating with bandits is acceptable if it guarantees the safety of Nigerian citizens. He made these remarks during an interview on Wednesday in response to comments made by Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who suggested that negotiations with armed groups could complement efforts to curb violence in northern Nigeria.

Omotayo emphasized that attempts to negotiate should not be perceived as a sign of government weakness but rather as a strategy to ensure the protection of citizens and their assets. He acknowledged a recent spike in banditry and expressed confidence that security forces could regain control with necessary support.

Omotayo's comments come amid heightened debates regarding the effectiveness of dialogue in the country's security strategy.