₦airaland Forum

The Katsina State Government has commenced a peace dialogue with armed bandits in Kakumi town, Bakori Local Government Area, as part of renewed efforts to restore lasting peace in the state’s troubled axis.

The meeting, which began on Sunday, reportedly involves representatives of at least five local government areas, namely Bakori, Kankara, Funtua, Kafur, and Malumfashi, all of which have been affected by recurrent bandit attacks in recent years.

Meanwhile, the dialogue aims to broker a ceasefire and secure commitments from the armed groups to halt hostilities in the affected communities.

However, details of the discussions remain sketchy.

Katsina, one of the states hardest hit by banditry in northwest Nigeria, has in the past experimented with peace deals with mixed outcomes.

SaharaReporters previously reported that despite failing to renounce their criminal activities or surrender their weapons following a peace agreement with the Katsina State Government, the Chairman of Sabuwa Local Government Area, Engr. Sagir Tanimu, recently attended the wedding ceremony of children belonging to some of the bandits in the state.

The event, held weeks after the peace pact, was reportedly part of ongoing reconciliation efforts between the government and the bandit groups operating in the area.

Tanimu was said to have also joined Fulani residents in the forest for the wedding in Kadawan Dandume village, a community recently reconciled with the local authorities after years of violent clashes.

Those who accompanied the council chairman to the event included the representative of the Emirate, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello Kogo, the Prince of Kogo Emirate in Katsina, and the District Head of Sabuwa.

However, residents warn that true reconciliation can only be achieved when armed groups formally renounce violence and lay down their weapons.

iwaeda:
It is well with this country. How can state be having peace meeting with killers.

Ontwig:
This is just the way to go. Negotiate with them, if possible pay them salary every month.

iwaeda:
https://saharareporters.com/2025/10/12/katsina-holds-peace-talks-bandits-across-five-local-council-areas-amid-insecurity