Buhari's Minister Lai Mohammed Opens Up on What FG Won’t Do With BanditsYour support matters. Sustain independent journalism in Nigeria – contribute to Legit.ng. The minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, has said that the federal government will not be involved in any dialogue with bandits. The minister made this disclosure during an interview with Daily Trust, on Monday, February 21. According to him, banditry in Nigeria is a very complex issue, one that the FG cannot handle alone. Speaking further, the minister affirmed that due to the complexity of the issue, state governments should be allowed to decide on whether they would go into agreement with bandits or not. Recommended for you "Them go break all these tables": Portable unveils new look of his bar, DJ... PAY ATTENTION: Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates! He said: The minister added that the designation of bandits as terrorists has aided the fight against insecurity, adding that it had made possible, the use of excessive force, which hitherto was not an option. Meanwhile, former Lagos state governor and frontline presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, January 13, expressed confidence that the federal government will crush Boko Haram terrorists and armed bandits in northern Nigeria. Recommended for you Banks begin payment of old naira notes to customers, set withdrawal limits... Tinubu made the statement while on a visit to commiserate with Governor Bello Matawalle over the recent carnage by bandits in Zamfara state. He was quoted as saying: In another report, an American journalist, Daniel Furnad carefully analysed the security situation in Nigeria under the administration of President Buhari. Furnad who is also a conflict resolution expert said that the Nigerian military under the present administration is tackling terrorism within the best international standard and rules of engagement. The journalist said this while speaking via Skype at a conference for non-governmental organisations, conflict managers, journalists, and civil society organisations. Legit.ng notes that Furnad's assessment comes at a time Nigeria is facing several security challenges apart from terrorism. These include banditry, kidnapping, among others. Source: Legit.ng The activities of bandits in the country have not only hindered economic growth, rather it has inflicted hardship on the people in affected areas This indeed is not pleasing to the government, especially the present administration which has vowed to crush banditry in Nigeria In a recent interview, Buhari's minister, Lai Mohammed, revealed why the federal government would not negotiate with bandits Your support matters. Sustain independent journalism in Nigeria – contribute to Legit.ng. Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates! “I think we should leave it to individual state governments to decide on whether they are going to enter into any agreement with bandits or not. The federal government cannot decree by fiat. Unknown to many people, there are lots of things going on behind the scenes where bandits are surrendering." “We believe in President Muhammadu Buhari’s ability to restore law and order and bring back our country to stability and tracks of development.”