The Sokoto State government has said the ongoing truce between the Aminu Tambuwal administration and armed bandits in the state was propelled by inadequate security provisions from the Federal Government.

Commissioner for careers and security matters Garba Moyi lamented the dearth of security personnel in remote communities in the state, while noting that the peace deal brokered by the state government was expedient in order to forestall loss of lives.

“We entered into negotiation as the last option, because we don’t have enough security operatives to be in all our villages and towns to protect lives and properties and we do not want to lose lives and properties to banditry,” Mr. Moyi told reporters over the weekend on behalf of Governor Tambuwal.

The commissioner explained that the Sokoto government would ordinarily not have negotiated with bandits if the federal government had strengthened security in the state.

“If only the federal government can reinforce our division and direct cooperation and coordination for the operation (against banditry) in the state, we would not be talking to any bandits,” he said.

Sokoto and other neighboring Northwest states have been worst hit by bandit attacks in the country, which had degenerated from farmer/herder crisis to cattle rustling, kidnapping and killings.

Many governors in the zone have long adopted reconciliatory moves with bandits in their respective states, as part of measures to curb the security challenges confronting the region.

Sokoto senator Ibrahim Gobir has, however, criticised the move; stating that negotiations with bandits are counterproductive.