Is the Northwest Ready?

Is the northwest ready to forgive bandits? Numerous peace deals have been agreed with bandits in the past without sustained impact. New reports of amnesty are still in the air despite the ongoing banditry. For instance, Over 500 bandits are reported to have agreed to embrace peace after striking a deal with Ahmad Gumi, a prominent Islamic cleric in Kaduna State. On 29th January 2021, seven repentant bandits surrendered their weapons and embraced the peace accord by the Governor Bello administration of Zamfara state.

The reoccurring failed peace deals and surrender by bandits must push the northwest governors to map out a comprehensive amnesty programme in the northwest zone. Banditry in the region has defied the numerous peace deals that have been initiated to stem the violence. Therefore, a sustainable amnesty programme is necessary. The northwest must begin to explore possible amnesty components for repentant bandits in the area. This will help to provide a sustainable initiative that will end the northwest violence. Multiple versions of amnesty for different bandits may create issues that can further aggravate the tensions.

To achieve inclusion and sustainable amnesty programme, Northwest governors must begin to mobilise all willing and repentant bandits in the zone. The lesson form the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) for ex-Niger Delta militants shows that the shady mobilisation of militants poses problems of exclusion among many militants who were reportedly abandoned.

The amnesty programme needs to factor in support of banditry-affected communities. Some communities are still vulnerable to fresh attacks by bandits, while others suffer the aftermath of attacks. Their willingness to accept forgiven bandits who may also be members of their communities is key to an impactful amnesty programme.

Therefore, the northwest banditry must be viewed holistically. First, securitisation option must be fully explored. Second, governments in the northwest must seek the federal government and development actors’ support in investigating the push-factors of the escalating violence. Third, amnesty for bandits must capture the views of affected communities. With purposeful government efforts, the northwest zone can be timely salvaged.