Bashir Dalhatu: Most Bandits Haven’t Enjoyed City Life, Government Should Extend Hand Of Friendship But Punish Recalcitrant Ones

Bashir Dalhatu’s Call for a Balanced Approach to Banditry in Nigeria

In a recent interview, Bashir Dalhatu, a respected elder statesman and political figure, offered a strikingly nuanced perspective on Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with banditry.

His remarks, carried by Arise News, highlight both the human dimension of the crisis and the urgent need for a pragmatic government response.

Dalhatu argued that most bandits have never truly experienced city life, suggesting that their isolation and lack of exposure to modern opportunities have contributed to their descent into violence.

This observation reframes the problem not merely as criminality but as a symptom of deep socio-economic exclusion.

Dalhatu’s central thesis is that the government must extend a hand of friendship to these individuals, offering them pathways to reintegration, education, and livelihood. He believes that by showing empathy and providing opportunities, many of these bandits could be persuaded to abandon violence. Yet his position is not one of leniency without consequence. He was clear that while dialogue and rehabilitation should be prioritized, those who remain recalcitrant, refusing peace and persisting in criminality, must face punishment.

This dual approach underscores his belief in balancing compassion with accountability.

The editorial significance of Dalhatu’s remarks lies in their challenge to conventional narratives. 

Too often, public discourse frames bandits solely as irredeemable criminals, ignoring the structural poverty, lack of governance, and cultural dislocation that fuel their actions.

By acknowledging that many have been deprived of city life and its opportunities, Dalhatu invites policymakers to consider rehabilitation as a viable strategy. At the same time, his insistence on punishing those who reject peace ensures that justice and deterrence remain intact.

This perspective raises broader questions about Nigeria’s security architecture. 

Can the state design programs that genuinely integrate marginalized groups while maintaining firm deterrence against violence?

Can empathy coexist with the rule of law in a way that strengthens national unity? 

Dalhatu’s intervention suggests that the answer lies in a carefully balanced policy, one that neither romanticizes bandits nor demonizes them wholesale, but instead recognizes the complexity of their circumstances.

Ultimately, his call is a reminder that Nigeria’s fight against insecurity cannot be won by force alone. It requires a vision that combines social inclusion with firm justice, empathy with discipline.

Dalhatu’s words challenge leaders to think beyond military campaigns and punitive measures, urging them to craft a holistic response that addresses both the roots and the manifestations of banditry.

In doing so, he has opened a vital conversation about how Nigeria might transform one of its gravest challenges into an opportunity for reconciliation and reform.