Leader of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Bashir Dalhatu, has urged the federal government to consider granting amnesty and financial support to Fulani ethnic militias, often labeled as bandits, similar to the incentives once offered to Niger Delta militants.
In an interview on Arise TV, Dalhatu argued that many of these youths turned to violence due to lack of education and opportunity. “The federal government should give these people amnesty and money just like the Niger Delta militants were given,” he said, adding that proper engagement could significantly reduce insecurity in the north.
He clarified that this approach does not excuse crime. Instead, he emphasized rehabilitation and reintegration through a combination of dialogue and firm consequences, stating, “We need to combine a hand of friendship with clear consequences for criminal behaviour.”
Dalhatu’s comments have reignited national debate about the effectiveness of amnesty programs and whether they could offer a viable long-term solution to Nigeria’s worsening banditry crisis.
