The chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Bashir Dalhatu, has urged the Nigerian government to extend a hand of friendship to bandits and grant them amnesty.

Mr Dalhatu, in an interview with Arise TV on Friday, made reference to amnesty granted to Niger Delta militants, advocating the same for bandits.

“I remember very well when there was an amnesty programme in the Niger Delta during those chaotic times. And it has worked perfectly,” Mr Dalhatu said.

He added, “They were given amnesty, they were sent to school, came back and became integrated into the system, and they are usable products and citizens of Nigeria. That aspect can also be looked at in terms of the north.”

Mr Dalhatu stated that the majority of the bandits have never had access to education or to what citizens enjoy in cities.

He emphasised that the government, while “extending a hand of friendship” to bandits, should also prosecute those found culpable.

Mr Dalhatu said, “Most of these bandits have not had the opportunity to go to school and have not had the opportunity to actually enjoy what we ordinarily do in the cities.”

He added, “It’s just for the government to probably, while extending hands of friendship but also make it quite clear that what they are doing is illegal and criminal, and those that are caught in the process are punished.”