Should Nigeria make peace with bandits? That’s the bold suggestion from Bashir Dalhatu, chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), who believes the government should reach out to armed groups rather than fight them endlessly. His proposal? Offer them amnesty — the same way the Niger Delta militants were granted clemency years ago. But here’s where it gets controversial: can forgiveness truly solve a crisis rooted in violence and crime?
Speaking in an interview with Arise TV, Dalhatu recalled the success of the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme, which helped quell years of unrest in the southern oil-producing region. “I vividly remember the amnesty initiative during those turbulent times in the Niger Delta,” he said. “It worked remarkably well — those who accepted it were educated, rehabilitated, and eventually reintegrated into society as productive citizens.” He suggested that a similar model could bring lasting peace to northern Nigeria.
According to Dalhatu, many of the bandits have never known the benefits of schooling or city life. He described them as victims of neglect — people excluded from opportunities that many Nigerians take for granted. And this, he argued, is a major reason behind the growing insecurity across vast rural areas.
Still, Dalhatu wasn’t calling for a blanket pardon. He made it clear that while the government should “extend a hand of friendship,” it must also ensure justice for those guilty of violence and serious crimes. “It’s possible to offer peace talks and rehabilitation,” he said, “but at the same time, the authorities must set boundaries — anyone caught committing crimes must face the consequences.”
The debate doesn’t end there. Some Nigerians see such proposals as pragmatic — a step toward peace through dialogue. Others view them as dangerous, fearing it rewards wrongdoers while undermining the law. Should criminals be forgiven simply because they were driven by poverty or exclusion? Or does that send the wrong message about accountability?
Share your thoughts: should the Tinubu administration consider amnesty for bandits as a pathway to peace, or would it only embolden criminal elements further? The conversation continues on our Facebook, Twitter, and other social media pages.
