Katsina Residents Skeptical of New Peace Deal with Bandits

The people of Batsari Local Government Area in Katsina State have voiced strong concerns over a recent peace deal brokered with bandit leaders such as Abu Radde and Umar Black. The deal, facilitated by the military, has failed to win the trust of local residents, many of whom believe it is doomed to fail, citing the ineffectiveness of previous similar agreements.

A local resident, who requested to remain anonymous, criticized the federal government for pushing forward with the deal without involving the Katsina State government. The resident, who expressed disappointment with the process, noted that Governor Dikko Radda has consistently rejected the idea of negotiating with bandits, warning that such deals place law-abiding citizens at a disadvantage.

“Several deals like this have been made before, but they have never worked. This one won’t hold either. The federal government is wrong to proceed without the state government’s input,” the resident said.

The peace agreement, which was part of an arms surrender ceremony held on January 19, 2025, in Batsari, saw bandits lay down four AK47 rifles and release 15 captives, including three men, eight women, and four children. However, critics are questioning the significance of the surrender, with some pointing out that the bandits only relinquished a small fraction of their arsenal.

“Four AK47 rifles from a group with hundreds of guns? It’s hardly a meaningful step,” the resident remarked.

Military sources, however, clarified that the operation leading to the surrender was not a peace negotiation but a step toward complete disarmament and the release of kidnapped victims. The arms are now in the custody of the 17 Brigade, Nigerian Army, while the freed captives have been handed over to local authorities for rehabilitation.

Katsina State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Bala Zango, reaffirmed the state government’s position, stating that it was not part of any peace deal and would not negotiate with bandits. “Our position remains clear, anyone who renounces violence and surrenders their weapons will be considered, but we will not negotiate with bandits,” Zango asserted.

Despite the state government’s stance, a peace meeting held in Kofa village, near Batsari, involved military officials, DSS representatives, traditional leaders, and local residents. Some participants described the meeting as a positive step, with bandits reportedly pledging to cease attacks and cooperate with the community.

However, skepticism persists among the people of Batsari. “The bandits demanded safe access to our communities and promised to stop attacks, but we’ve heard such promises before,” said another local resident.

The deal follows ongoing operations under the combined forces of Operation Fasan Yanma, and military sources are hopeful that the developments could lead to lasting peace. Lt. Lawal, the Public Relations Officer of the 17 Brigade, commended the success of the operation, expressing optimism that it would pave the way for sustained peace in the region.

Despite the federal government and military’s ongoing efforts to curb banditry in Katsina State, the reluctance of both the residents and the state government to fully embrace the recent peace deal highlights deep-rooted concerns about its long-term effectiveness. The situation remains fluid, with stakeholders continuing to monitor the outcome of these initiatives closely.