By Ayo Yusuf
The controversy over the method deployed by security agents to rescue hostages from their captors in Nigeria reared its head again as the the federal government and Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State clash over the manner the rescue operation for the female students abducted from the Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, is being handled.
So far, 16 hostages have been released following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to security services to immediately rescue the girls from their abductors.
However, the effort has reportedly been marred by accusations that the government has been paying money to bandits to take back the captives rather than using any military or police stratagem.
The rumour further gained currency when the governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Dauda Lawal, on Monday, accused the federal government of negotiating with terrorists in his state without his knowledge.
The governor said in a statement that he had reports that negotiations were going on with bandits in different local government areas in the state by agents of the federal government without getting him involved.
In a swift reaction, the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris denied that the FG has made deals with anyone to negotiate with the bandits.
In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Suleiman Haruna, the minister warned the governor to stop “playing politics with such a sensitive matter.”
He said federal government institutions are empowered by law to ensure the safe return of citizens illegally taken as hostage.
Alhaji Idris said the non-disclosure of such delicate operations by the institutions responsible does not make it “anyway surreptitious, as the Zamfara State Government atrociously described this effort.
“The government however maintains its resolve to explore every available avenue that can lead to de-escalation of tension and bring back peace to communities ravaged by banditry,” the statement read.
On Tuesday, both the Minister of Defence and former governor of Jigawa State, Badaru Abubakar, and his State counterpart, Dr. Bello Matawalle, denied the allegations that the federal government was secretly negotiating with bandits in Zamfara State.
In a statement by the acting Director of Public Relations, Ministry of Defence, Attari Hope, both Alhaji Badaru and Dr. Matawalle expressed confidence that a joint security task force set up over the matter and currently working round the clock, would rescue the students.
The statement partly read: “The Minister of Defence Badaru Abubakar and his State counterpart Dr. Bello Matawalle, have again reassured Zamfara citizenry and Nigerians of the progress being made for the quick return of the abducted female students and others of Federal University, Gusau.
“The duo expressed confidence that the joint security task forces are working discreetly round the clock to get the students rescued.
“The Ministers said that the allegation is false and misleading as the Ministry has not mandated anybody or any group to negotiate on behalf of the federal government.
“They explained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given marching orders to the Military and other security agencies to ensure the release of those who were abducted.
“They said that the order of Mr. President has started yielding results as 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.”
Obi Condemns Kidnap
Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25 election, Peter Obi, has condemned the kidnapping of the female students and described it as a threat to education in the country.
In a statement shared on Tuesday via its X account, the former Anambra governor urged the federal government not to allow bandits to destroy the nation.
According to Mr Obi, “This act remains condemnable, and the incident brings to bear once again, the national challenge of insecurity which has continued to threaten our national peace and development. While I commend the security agencies for rescuing some of the abducted students already.
“I urge them to make more stringent efforts to ensure that the remaining students are rescued unhurt. This, and many other attacks on students, is an attack on education in a country where over 18 million out-of-school children are already roaming the streets.”
He added that, “The government, therefore, owes the nation a duty to deliver its primary duty of securing lives and properties, which is the first step towards national development.”
Obi, who sympathised with the victims of the unfortunate incident prayed they would be rescued and reunited with their families and loved ones.
“We must as a nation resist any attempt to allow criminals to make the rules by which we live as a national community. And we should not allow bandits and criminals to destroy our nation.”
