A group called Citizens for Equity and Justice Initiative wants answers about a strange meeting with a wanted criminal. Two state governors met with Ado Aleru, a bandit leader who has caused terrible violence across northwest Nigeria. The meeting happened last Saturday in Bichi community where officials from both Zamfara and Katsina states attended. Army representatives and local leaders also joined the gathering where Aleru spoke freely. Security forces have offered five million naira for his capture.
Dr Abdulmumin Sarki leads the citizens group and feels angry about what happened. He says Governors Dikko Radda and Dauda Lawal broke their campaign promises about never talking with criminals. Both men had criticized peace deals with violent groups before winning their elections. Sarki believes these leaders have betrayed Nigerian people who lost family members to bandit attacks. The group wants National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to investigate the entire situation.
Amnesty International reports show bandits have killed over 10,000 people during recent years. Thousands more families had to leave their homes because of the violence. The citizens group calls this meeting a complete failure of leadership. They worry that treating criminals like normal negotiating partners will encourage more attacks across the region.
Dr Abdulmumin Sarki leads the citizens group and feels angry about what happened. He says Governors Dikko Radda and Dauda Lawal broke their campaign promises about never talking with criminals. Both men had criticized peace deals with violent groups before winning their elections. Sarki believes these leaders have betrayed Nigerian people who lost family members to bandit attacks. The group wants National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to investigate the entire situation.
Amnesty International reports show bandits have killed over 10,000 people during recent years. Thousands more families had to leave their homes because of the violence. The citizens group calls this meeting a complete failure of leadership. They worry that treating criminals like normal negotiating partners will encourage more attacks across the region.
