Debo Ogundoyin warns against concessions to armed groups, says dialogue that rewards criminality fuels insecurity.
The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Debo Ogundoyin, has cautioned against negotiating with terrorists in ways that could reward or legitimize their activities, warning that such actions may worsen insecurity.
Speaking on the issue of terrorism and kidnapping, Ogundoyin questioned the wisdom of granting concessions to armed groups in exchange for the release of victims.
“If you were the Governor, would you negotiate with terrorists? If terrorists demand weapons, money, concessions or even integration into communities as part of a ransom deal, would you accept that?” he asked.
The Speaker argued that yielding to such demands could embolden criminal elements and encourage further attacks.
“The more you negotiate with them, the more you embolden them,” Ogundoyin stated.
His remarks come amid ongoing national conversations on how best to address insecurity, kidnapping and terrorist activities across parts of the country, with opinions divided on whether governments should engage armed groups in negotiations to secure the release of abducted persons.
Ogundoyin maintained that any approach to tackling terrorism must prioritize public safety while avoiding measures that could strengthen the operational capacity of criminal networks.
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