The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Taoreed Lagbaja, considers the amnesty programme in Zamfara State a failed project. Lagbaja, who met with Governor Dauda Lawal in Abuja, stated that the programme enabled bandits to regroup and target citizens.
Lagbaja stated that the amnesty programme has failed not only in Zamfara but also in many other states in the northwest. Therefore, we need to reconsider this programme as the criminals have proven to be incorrigible. “The amnesty issue allows them to regroup and launch attacks on our defenceless citizens. We must consider this.” The COAS plans to deploy more platforms and funds to reactivate unserviceable ones to boost troops’ operations in Zamfara. He acknowledges that the crisis there includes farmer-herder clashes, ethnic confrontations, and economic empowerment driven by mining activities.
Lagbaja stated, “We won’t tolerate outlaws killing children and women in communities. Working with the state government and stakeholders, we can eliminate these criminals and reduce insecurities significantly.” I appeal to your excellency to support the implementation of our recommended measures to address the Yan Sakai and other regional groups. Together, we will combat these criminals.
