The Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Bashir Dalhatu, says the Federal Government must adopt a combined strategy of negotiation and military action if it truly wants to end the banditry crisis in northern Nigeria.
Dalhatu, who spoke on Friday during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show, explained that the issue cannot be solved through force alone.
According to him, part of the problem stems from the background of many bandits who, he said, have never had the chance to enjoy basic opportunities that regular Nigerians take for granted.
Dalhatu argued that such individuals have had little or no education, no exposure to structured livelihood, and no experience of city life, which has made them vulnerable to criminal recruitment.
He suggested that a programme similar to the Niger Delta amnesty initiative could be implemented in the North.
Dalhatu noted that the amnesty programme succeeded because it rehabilitated militants, offered them formal education, and reintegrated them into society.
He believes a similar combination of incentives and strict enforcement could make a difference in the fight against banditry.
However, he warned that any form of engagement should not be confused with pardoning crime.
The government, he insisted, must be firm in its message that criminal actions will attract punishment, even while creating a path for those willing to abandon violence.
Dalhatu also revealed that a major debate is ongoing across the North. One camp believes a full-scale military operation is the only solution, while another thinks genuine dialogue must be part of the plan.
He maintained that practical examples from different parts of the country show that both approaches, when deployed together, tend to yield better outcomes.
He added that security agencies have already started balancing military campaigns with controlled engagement, and that this has produced some positive results in recent months.
According to him, a more structured and consistent version of this dual approach could speed up progress.