Secret Negotiation: Your Claim Misleading, FG Replies Zamfara Governor

• The federal government rebuked Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal’s accusations of secret negotiations with bandits, calling them “false and misleading”
• Minister of Defence Abubakar Badaru clarified that the government was working diligently to rescue the abducted girls, not negotiating with terrorists

On Tuesday, the federal government slammed Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal for accusing it of secretly negotiating with bandits who kidnapped some schoolgirls in the state.

It called Lawal’s accusations “false and misleading,” claiming that the ministry has not authorized anybody or a group of people to negotiate with the criminals on behalf of the government.

The Zamfara government has stated that it has enough evidence to identify the federal government agents involved in the alleged secret negotiations with bandits.

The governor, who had previously ruled out the possibility of negotiating with bandits, had previously expressed concern that the government at the highest level had engaged in a secret dialogue with the criminals.

In response to the governor’s allegations, the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, stated that the federal government was only carrying out President Bola Tinubu’s marching orders to rescue the victims.

In a statement issued by the ministry’s acting spokesman, Attari Hope, Badaru stated that the federal government’s efforts have begun to bear fruit.

The Minister debunked the claim and allegation pointing out that federal government is negotiating with the terrorists. The federal government is working assiduously round the clock to ensure that the girls and others return home.

The Minister said that the allegation is false and misleading as the Ministry has not mandated any body or group to negotiate on behalf of Federal Government.

He explained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given marching order to Military and other security agencies to ensure the release of those that were abducted .

He said that the order of Mr. President has started yielding result has 13 of the abducted students and 3 others regained their freedom just this Monday 25, 2023 This feat was achieved through the professional efforts of the Military, the statement said.