Adebayo Shittu, a former Minister of Communications, has called on the Federal Government to use a non-kinetic approach to combating the rise of banditry in Nigeria.
Speaking in an interview with journalists, Shittu said that by interacting with bandits and promising them a future with hopes, the government may find a long-term solution to the situation. His words came amid rising violence and kidnappings, questioning President Bola Tinubu's administration's position against negotiating with terrorists.
Shittu emphasized the need for negotiations over the use of force, citing the high expenses of military operations against bandits. He argued that the money spent on weapons and ammunition should be better spent on rehabilitating and reintegrating outlaws into society.
According to him, many bandits have potential that, if properly trained and de-radicalized, may contribute constructively to nation-building. Furthermore, Shittu attributed the spread of banditry in Nigeria to the high number of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria, highlighting the region as a "bandit factory."
Shittu discussed the fundamental problems with Nigeria's security system in addition to his support for dialogue. He demanded the establishment of state police, claiming that doing so would strengthen local administration, empower governors, and potentially better manage safety concerns.
