By SANI IDRIS ABDULRAHMAN

The Northern Elders Progressive Group (NEPG) has called on Governors in the North-West region to cooperate with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other security agencies in pursuing dialogue with bandits as a means to ending the cycle of violence in the region.

Speaking in Kaduna on Tuesday, the Coordinator of the group in the zone, Yusuf Abubakar, said the forum was encouraged by the efforts of the NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and other stakeholders currently exploring non-kinetic measures to restore peace in the North-West.

“We are happy with the steps being taken so far. Travelling recently from Sokoto to Gusau, and from Funtua to Zaria, I observed a more peaceful atmosphere.

“Compared to before, there is improvement in security, in patrols, and in the safety of commuters along that road,” he said.

Abubakar urged the governors to embrace dialogue as a better alternative to condolence visits and repeated military operations that overstretch security forces.

“It is better for a governor to spend his resources on saving lives than spending billions on condolence.

“One life is far more important than any political gesture,” Abubakar said.

Responding to critics who argued against negotiation, the group maintained that dialogue has been a tested option in other conflict-ridden countries.

“Even powerful nations have negotiated with groups like the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and the Houthis. Negotiation is not weakness; it is about saving lives,” he explained.

Abubakar condemned some governors who claimed to possess intelligence on the movements of bandits but failed to share such information with the security agencies.

“It is unbecoming of a leader to say he knows the movements of criminals but does nothing with the information. Such propaganda is irresponsible,” he said.

Abubakar also defended the role of the NSA and members of the committee handling the process, warning against attempts to politicize or ridicule their work.

“The office of the National Security Adviser represents unity, peace, and security for the country.

“Attacking it is an attempt to destabilize the whole nation,” he added.

The group also commended the Chairman, Senate Committee on Intelligence, Sen. Shehu Buba, and his team of eminent Nigerians who have been working hard to ensure peace return to the region.

“Sen. Shehu Buba, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Intelligence, who has worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the ongoing dialogue, deserves commendation and not attacks.

“Their real target is the laudable initiative of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

“Every good and responsible northerner should welcome any genuine effort aimed at ending the bloodshed and incessant attacks by bandits and other agents of disunity,” he said.

The group, therefore, urged the governors across the North-West to work in synergy with the NSA, the Minister of Defence, and the Service Chiefs to ensure the peace initiative succeeds. (NAN)