From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has ordered the arrest, prosecution of anyone caught negotiating with bandits on behalf of his government.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, the governor made it clear that there is no intermediaries appointed by him to negotiate with bandits.
“The attention of the Kaduna State government, under the leadership of Governor El-Rufai, has been drawn to reports in the media that it has appointed representatives to interface with bandits on its behalf.
“The state government hereby clarifies firmly that such intermediaries have never been appointed.
“The position of the government remains the same: the government will not negotiate with or pay ransoms to bandits. Any person who claims to do so in any capacity, if found, will be prosecuted accordingly.
“Citizens are urged to report the details of any persons posing as official government negotiators to the state security operatives.”