Mike Ejiofor, former director of the Department of State Services has stated that Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State and Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara state laid the foundation for kidnapping in their various states by negotiating with criminals.
This statement was made by Ejiofor when he featured on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Friday December 18.
Ejiofor stressed that the best practice all over the world is to strengthen the security apparatus and crush the criminals rather than negotiating with criminals.
He said;
“The state governments –both Zamfara and Katsina States –mistakenly laid the foundation for what is going on now; they started negotiation with the bandits who were not even ready to give up on their activities and this is what we are witnessing now.
“Even this Kankara incident, the governor came out to say they are negotiating, that is unacceptable. And you give these people the boldness and courage to continue to perpetrate this act.
“I am not a pessimist but these things will continue to happen unless we strengthen the security of these states and take decisive actions. The Federal Government should take decisive actions against these bandits operating in the North-West. These well-organised bandits are looking for money. Anytime they do such kidnap, they are paid, and they use such money to buy more arms.”
On those behind the abduction, Ejiofor said;
“This definitely is not the work of Boko Haram but the work of bandits in the two states.”
