Youth Group Urges Tinubu to Arrest, Prosecute Those Negotiating with Bandits

A youth group operating under the banner Teamsunrise has asked President Bola Tinubu to order the arrest and prosecution of individuals who claim to negotiate with bandits and other criminal networks across Nigeria.

In a statement issued in Calabar, the group argued that unofficial negotiations with violent groups undermine national security rather than promoting its restoration.

Teamsunrise also called for an urgent and transparent investigation into allegations that some personnel of the Nigerian Army have been recruiting or informally collaborating with bandits in certain regions.

The group described the claims as alarming and insisted that the military and other relevant security agencies must clarify the situation.

According to the group, any form of unauthorised recruitment, negotiation or collaboration with violent groups poses grave risks to citizens and further strains the already fragile security architecture.

They warned that if the allegations are substantiated, they would constitute a serious breach of professional conduct within the security sector.

In a related development, another civil society organisation, the Sunrise Youth Entrepreneur Initiative, led by Princewill Chimezie Richards, questioned why individuals reportedly engaged in negotiations with criminal groups have not been investigated or prosecuted.

Richards argued that unauthorised contact with bandits or terrorists should never be normalised or excused. He urged the federal government to address the allegations openly and ensure that anyone found aiding or enabling violent groups is held accountable.

“If these allegations are true, the government must not ignore them. Anyone involved in recruiting or negotiating with violent groups should face the full weight of the law,” Richards stated.

Both groups also criticised what they described as inconsistencies in the handling of security-related cases in Nigeria. They referenced the recent sentencing of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, noting that while his contentious broadcasts were made from abroad and partly constituted political expression, his conduct during court appearances weakened his legal position.