Peter Anosike has raised serious concerns about how Nigeria handles the issue of banditry and negotiations with armed groups. Speaking during an interview with Voice of the People TV from 23:25, he reacted to the House of Representatives’ plan to introduce a law that would stop government officials from negotiating with terrorists or paying ransoms.
Anosike explained that issues surrounding bandit negotiations are deeper than many Nigerians realise. He pointed out that Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi often enters forests to speak with bandits and is even escorted by soldiers. According to him, this suggests that such actions must be approved by high levels of authority, because no soldier can take such a risk without orders.
He argued that this situation reflects a wider problem of compromise, corruption, and sentimental decisions within the system. He also questioned why someone like Gumi can move freely, speak boldly, and still face no consequences, saying that it has a lot to do with the region he comes from and the protection that gives him.
Anosike compared the situation to what would happen to him if he made a similar statement. He recalled how Gumi once told Nigerian soldiers not to provoke bandits. He said that if he were to tell soldiers not to provoke members of IPOB, he would be arrested immediately. For him, this shows a clear difference in how people are treated based on where they come from and the groups they address.
In his words, “Gumi was telling Nigerian Soldiers, ‘Don’t provoke the bandits.’ I cannot tell Nigerian soldiers ‘Don’t provoke IPOB,’ they will arrest me immediately.” View, More,
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