JUSTIN: “‘We Opened the Door Ourselves!’ — Hard Truth About Banditry in Nigeria Sparks Heated National Debate”

A strong opinion has sparked widespread debate online over how Nigeria’s rising banditry crisis evolved and why it continues to worsen across several regions.

The argument suggests that the turning point came when armed criminal groups began to be treated as parties to negotiate with, rather than strictly as offenders to be confronted by law enforcement.

According to this view, when community leaders, religious figures, politicians, and even government representatives began entering forests to engage in discussions with armed groups—whether out of necessity or desperation—it sent a powerful message that violence could eventually lead to negotiation and attention from authorities….... >>>>