Kaduna, Nigeria — June 25, 2026 — Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has ruled out amnesty for bandits and terrorists, declaring that those responsible for killing innocent citizens “must be eliminated.”
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the governor took a firm position against rehabilitation programmes for violent offenders, insisting they do not deserve a second chance.
“I don’t believe bandits deserve a second chance because… they are terrorists; they’re people who kill innocent citizens. Certainly, they have no right to live. They must be eliminated,” Sani said.
He further dismissed the idea of reforming such individuals, stating that in his view, “there is nothing like a repentant terrorist.”
The governor’s remarks come amid ongoing security challenges in Kaduna State, where banditry, kidnapping, and violent attacks have affected several communities across both northern and southern districts.
While his administration has previously adopted a mix of military operations and non-kinetic measures, including dialogue and reintegration initiatives, the latest comments signal a stronger tilt toward a hardline security approach.
Earlier in 2026, the state government inaugurated a Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Committee, a move that sparked mixed reactions among residents, with some expressing concerns over the reintegration of former fighters.
Sani has consistently commended the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces in combating insecurity and has warned against politicising security challenges.
Analysts say the governor’s stance reflects growing frustration among leaders in northern Nigeria over persistent banditry, which has led to loss of lives, displacement of communities, and disruption of economic activities.
The comments also feed into broader national conversations around security reforms, including calls for state policing and stronger local security frameworks.
