Kwankwaso Pledges Dialogue With Terrorists

….Says Trust in Security Agencies Must Be Restored

The vice-presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has said his administration would combine dialogue with the deployment of security forces to tackle terrorism and other forms of criminality if elected in 2027.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Kwankwaso argued that many residents of communities plagued by insecurity possess valuable information about those behind violent attacks but are often unwilling to cooperate with security agencies due to fear and a lack of trust.

According to him, previous experiences have discouraged many locals from sharing intelligence, as some believe those who assisted authorities were later exposed to danger.

“People in these communities know who the criminals are and where they operate, but they are afraid to speak because of what happened to others who provided information in the past,” he said.

Kwankwaso said rebuilding public confidence in security institutions would be central to his government’s approach to addressing insecurity.

He also disclosed that his administration would open lines of communication with terrorists and other criminal groups as part of broader efforts to reduce violence and restore peace.

“We will restore confidence among the people. We will work with communities and even engage terrorists and criminals themselves to find ways of discouraging their activities,” he stated.

When asked if his government would negotiate with terrorists, Kwankwaso responded, “Certainly, we will talk to everybody.”

However, he maintained that dialogue would complement—not replace—military operations, stressing that the armed forces and other security agencies would continue to be deployed wherever necessary to protect the country and combat security threats.