The federal government has ruled out talks of engaging foreign mercenaries in the fight against insurgents and other forms of insecurity in different parts of the country.

It also said negotiating with terrorists and bandits is not one of its plans to secure the country.

National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (Rtd), who stated this on Thursday during the weekly ministerial briefing at the State House in Abuja, said government would rather deploy all necessary forces to eliminate criminals.

Responding to a question from journalists on renewed calls by North-east governors on the federal government to engage foreign mercenaries in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists, Monguno said Nigeria has both the personnel and equipment to achieve victory over these internal security challenges.

“The President’s view and directive is that we will not engage mercenaries when we have our own people to deal with these problems. We have the personnel and resources, and the President has given a new lease of life to the Armed Forces,” he said.

Also, on suggestions by some individuals and groups to enter into negotiations with bandits, kidnappers, insurgents and other categories of criminals, the NSA ruled out negotiating with criminals.

He, however, said the government would not succumb to blackmail and the use of criminals by proxies to harass innocent citizens, adding that that it would rather deploy all necessary force to eliminate criminals.

“While government is not averse to talking with these entities, it also has to fully apply its weight. You can’t (negotiate) with people who are unreliable and who will continue to hurt society. We will apply the full weight of the government to deal with these criminals.