Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has restated his resolve not to negotiate with bandits, nor support any granting of amnesty to the criminals terrorising his state.

The governor stated this on Wednesday during the presentation of the state’s 2020 Annual Security Report, held at the Government House, Kaduna.

Mr El-Rufai stressed that bandits, cattle rustlers and armed militias must be degraded and decimated “to a state of unconditional submission to constituted authority”.

According to him, these criminals must be wiped out immediately and without hesitation.

He said: “Our position in Kaduna State has been clear, unequivocal and consistent. Bandits, cattle rustlers and armed militias must be degraded and decimated to a state of unconditional submission to constituted authority.

“We will neither negotiate with criminals of any description nor support any grant of amnesty.

“Criminal gangs, bandits, insurgents and ethno-religious militias made a conscious choice to challenge Nigeria’s sovereignty and menace our citizens. These criminals must be wiped out immediately and without hesitation.”

The governor also lauded the recent directive given by President Muhammadu Buhari to the federal security agencies to wipe out gun-wielding criminals.

He, therefore, stressed the need to further empower the security sector to defeat the criminals, including providing the additional funds, the armament technology and the required personnel.

“I am further encouraged by the stance of Federal Government in my periodic interactions with President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria Governors Forum, that there is near unanimity and broad consensus on the part of the national and sub-national political leadership – the President and the State Governors – on this course of action.

“We therefore need to further empower the security sector to defeat the criminals, including providing the additional funds, the armament technology and the required personnel.

“This national consensus to eliminate all forms of insecurity must be operationalized immediately. Our people face deadly perils daily.

“Converting this national consensus into decisions and actions in support of our armed forces, police and other security agencies with human and material resources cannot wait.”