The states in the North West are Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara.
El-Rufai said if the governors did not coalesce into a single force and adopt a common approach, it will be difficult for any of them to tackle the problem.
Until a few years ago, the region was generally peaceful but recent events in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna, Katsina, and to a certain extent Kebbi, the North West is now another major regional theatre of violence, like the North East where Boko Haram terrorists have wreaked havoc for over 11 years.
El-Rufai’s frustrations
Governor El-Rufai who spoke in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service on Monday picked holes in the decision by some governors to engage in dialogue with the bandits, saying he will not negotiate or forgive any of them.