A former Zamfara Governor, Sani Yerima, says though some bandits terrorising Nigeria are foreigners, President Bola Tinubu should dialogue with them as late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua dialogued with Niger Delta militants.

Mr Yerima, who introduced Sharia law in Zamfara in 1999, made this call in an interview with BBC Hausa on Saturday.

“I’m advising the government to, first of all, find time to sit with these bandits, just like they sat with Niger Delta militants in the past. Because a majority of them are Nigerians, even though there are some foreigners among them,” Mr Yerima said.

“But Nigerians among them can be convinced, as the Niger Delta militants were convinced and empowered to stop.”

Mr Yerima added, “if that fails, then the government can use force on them wherever they are.”

Mr Yerima’s advocacy for bandit gangs who have killed many and kidnapped citizens for ransom across the country comes 23 years after he introduced sharia law in Zamfara State.

Under Mr Yerima’s administration in 2000, Bello Buba Jangebe was amputated for stealing a cow following a Zamfara Sharia Court ruling. Similarly, in 2001, Lawali Isa, who stole a bicycle, had his wrist cut.