Katsina LG Signs Fraught Peace Pact as Bandit Violence Intensifies.
In a contentious development, local government officials in Katsina State have brokered a controversial “peace deal” with bandit groups amid a violent surge in attacks and abductions in the region. The truce, announced in Kankia Local Government Area, was captured in video shots that show armed men riding motorcycles and firing into the air with little or no security presence. The pact reportedly involves specific bandit commanders, some of whom have been implicated in past kidnappings and lethal raids. According to residents, the deal emerged as a form of desperate negotiation, as communities ravaged by insecurity say they simply lack the capacity to defend themselves, and some local leaders opted for dialogue in hopes of buying temporary respite. Although the agreement was initiated at the community level, the Katsina State Government has publicly distanced itself. Governor Dikko Umar Radda has denied that any formal arrangement exists between the government and terrorists, reiterating his administration’s “no negotiation” policy. Security authorities maintain their commitment to intelligence-driven operations and community policing, not truce-making with criminals. Analysts, however, warn the deal may offer only an illusion of security. Human rights organisations such as HURIWA argue that negotiating with armed criminals chips away at the legitimacy of the state, pointing to a dangerous precedent. The Defence Headquarters in Abuja has also condemned such local pacts, stating that it is uninformed of, and does not endorse, any of these deals. Adding to the controversy, the deal appears to involve Ado Aleru, a notorious bandit leader declared wanted by police in Katsina. In June 2025, Aleru attended a meeting with community and traditional leaders in Danmusa LGA, where he reportedly pledged to renounce violence and released several hostages. The state’s Internal Security Commissioner, Dr. Nasir Mu’azu, claims these gestures were sincere, but critics say offering legitimacy to Aleru risks undermining justice. Beyond the political and security fallout, there is an economic dimension: residents of heavily impacted farming communities allege that bandits continue to impose levies on them — payments made to extortionists who promise, but do not guarantee, their safety. For them, the “peace deal” may feel more like a costly survival tactic than a genuine solution. As Katsina struggles with a worsening banditry crisis, the deal raises profound questions about state sovereignty, the rule of law, and whether peace constructed under duress is sustainable or simply temporary.
| 2025-11-16 11:13:03