Dr. Jafar Lawal Advocates for Government-Insurgent Dialogue to Ensure Lasting Peace

Dr. Jafar Lawal, Head of Department of Social Services at Kaduna Polytechnic, is calling on state governments in Northern Nigeria to engage in dialogue with insurgents. Speaking with Radio Now’s Buhari Abubakar, Dr. Lawal expressed concern over the changing tactics of insurgents, who are now targeting soft targets.

According to Dr. Lawal, the recent pressure on the bandits from the military, specifically the Air Force, has led to a change in their strategy. However, he noted that some states, like Kaduna, have made efforts to establish a dialogue with the bandits, resulting in some of them surrendering their weapons.

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 “It is so unfortunate that the Tartars do such a terrible thing by attacking soft targets. Definitely, this is surely, you know, to be unconnected with the pressure on the bandits now. There is serious pressure from all angles. Military or specifically the Air Force have been attacking them and in some states like Kaduna, recently there is an effort by the state government whereby they organized a kind of understanding with the bandits and many of them surrendered their weapons and they have arrived at settlements with the state government. So, definitely, many of them have no hiding place now and their means of chain of supply has been cut up in many of those areas in Katunas, Amparas, Kaduna and many other places. So, definitely, this may be in desperation for them to show that they are still around and have the capacity to attack. Unfortunately, the soft targets are now suffering such attacks.”

Dr. Lawal emphasized that even after conflict, a settlement and understanding must be reached between the government and armed groups. He stated that this is a globally recognized principle, essential for achieving lasting peace.

 “Definitely, Arrow and Stick is the only means to solve the problem of vanditry and many other crimes in our society. Obviously, even after war, there must be an agreement of understanding. Government and the bandits or the other armed groups must have to sit down and arrive at a certain agreement, even after war, that is known globally.”