A security analyst and Convener of the Katsina Security Community Initiative, Bashir Kurfi, has criticised ongoing peace negotiations between government officials and armed groups in northern Nigeria, describing the arrangements as “a tragedy” that could further undermine national security.
Kurfi made the remarks on Tuesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese Ijebu, Ogun State, where he argued that the structure of the negotiations lacked credibility and failed to reflect internationally accepted peace building standards.
According to him, genuine peace processes require organisation, accountability and commitment from all parties, unlike the current arrangements, which he alleged were largely dictated by the armed groups.
“Yeah, you see, they have these so called peace agreements. But this peace agreement itself is a tragedy,” Kurfi said.
The security expert alleged that bandits often determine the venue and conditions for the negotiations, with government officials travelling into their enclaves while the armed groups attend the meetings carrying weapons.
“When they are making peace agreement with these terrorists, the bandits directed where that meeting should take place. In their enclave. In the bush. They also come with their guns. You go to meet with them armless, but they come with their arms,” he said.
Kurfi also recalled the killing of a senior police officer, alleging that one of the bandit leaders celebrated the officer’s death before appearing at a peace meeting wearing the slain officer’s uniform.
“When they went for this so called peace agreement, that same Jankari came to the peace discussion with the government officials… and he came with the uniform of the assistant commissioner of police whom he killed. How do you see that? Because in peace process, you should even avoid opening wounds,” he said.
He further questioned Nigeria’s security architecture, arguing that advances in technology should make it easier for security agencies to track and apprehend criminal elements.
“So what is happening?” he asked while expressing concern over the country’s inability to contain armed groups.
Kurfi also linked the persistence of banditry to activities around mining sites, alleging that criminal groups exploit resource rich areas where enforcement is weak.
“You know mining has a positive correlation with banditry. If you go to these places where they do mining in the bush, you will see even foreigners in the mining sites… they will never attack that mining area. So which means there is some collaboration,” he alleged.
He further claimed that many mining communities had become centres for illicit activities, including drug abuse, prostitution and the sale of alcohol, which he said created conditions that enabled criminal networks to thrive.
According to him, Nigeria must address the underlying social and economic factors driving insecurity rather than relying solely on peace negotiations with armed groups.
“So, a serious country will have to look at the implication of this kind of things… You cannot dismiss this without taking the contradictions of the system,” Kurfi said.
Kurfi urged policymakers and security stakeholders to adopt a more comprehensive approach to tackling insecurity, insisting that lasting peace could only be achieved by confronting the structural issues sustaining banditry and other violent crimes.
