From Dan Amasingha Minna,

The Federal Government has ruled out the option of negotiating with bandits who are wreaking havoc across the country.

Some Nigerians, including Islamic Scholar, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, have recommended dialogue with bandits as a means of achieving peace.

But speaking at a press briefing in Aso Rock yesterday, National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen.

“The government is tackling the problem of insecurity, we’ve said this many times that there are two phases in solving this problem –the soft approach: talking, negotiating, and so on and so forth.

“While the government is not averse to talking to these entities, these human beings, I have to be very honest, the government has to apply its weight, that force that is required because you can’t even talk with people who are unreliable, who will turn out to do a different thing and people who will continue to hurt society.

“So, basically, what the government wants to rely upon is to deal with this issue by using all the assets – military assets, intelligence assets to eliminate these people.

“If along the line, some of them are ready to come out and talk and negotiate, when the time comes, we will do that but for now, we can’t keep on dwelling on ‘Let’s dialogue’. Psychologically, dialogue is not even good for us, it paints the picture of weakness, it paints the picture of incapacity and I, just like the governor of Kaduna State said, do not see any reason why we cannot, with what we have, deal with these elements.”

 Niger Shut All Public Secondary Schools

In a related development, the Niger State Government has ordered the closure of all public secondary schools for two weeks starting from today, Friday March 12 to 26th 2021.

State Commissioner for Education, Hannatu Jibrin Salihu, disclosed this yesterday after an emergency consultative meeting of major stakeholders in Minna. 

The emergency consultative meeting was held with the leadership of Association of the Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS),Association of Model Islamic Schools (AMIS), Executive Chairman, Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), Heads of Education Agencies, Directors of the Ministry and other stakeholders of the Education sector in the State.

According to her, the directive was based on the decision earlier taken during an interface the Ministry had with officials from various Security Agencies in the state. 

According to her, 22 Secondary Schools (11 Day and 11 Boarding Schools)have earlier been closed, the two weeks closure of all Secondary Schools was necessary to give relevant Security

Agencies the time and opportunity to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of all public secondary Schools in the State..

The Commissioner noted That the exercise, when completed, will provide an all-inclusive mechanism and strategies that will restore and guarantee sustainable security and safety of Students, School infrastructure, Education managers  teachers in the State.

The Commissioner used the opportunity to commend Education actors, Parents and communities for their patience, understanding and support in this trying time.

She reiterated the government’s commitment to leave no stone unturned and ensure that all Schools are safe environments for effective Teaching and learning. 

Hajiya Hannatu Salihu ,  urged Nigerlites not to relent in their show of solidarity, 

cooperation and collaboration with the government in this critical task of surmounting security challenges especially in the School system.