‘Seven local councils in Katsina have cut peace deals with repentant bandits in a desperate move to stop the bloodshed rocking their communities.
Danmusa, Jibia, Batsari, Kankara, Kurfi, Musawa and Faskari are now part of the pact, despite Faskari being home to some of the state’s most wanted bandits, including those fingered in the mosque massacre that left over 30 dead in Malumfashi.
The agreements, struck under the watch of security officials, demand an end to killings and abductions, with abductees released.
In return, bandits get access to community markets, but must drop their guns, carrying only machetes and walking sticks.
Locals have been promised safe passage to their farmlands and markets. Repentant bandits will even act as “protectors” against their unrepentant comrades.
However, the Katsina government insists it had no hand in the deals.
Commissioner for Internal Security, Dr. Nasir Muazu, declared, “The government doesn’t initiate peace agreements… they are entirely community-driven.”
He blamed banditry on greed, envy, climate-change conflicts and deep social injustices.
Still, Muazu boasted that the Radda administration has smashed dozens of enclaves, recruited Community Watch Corps, armed vigilantes, deployed drones and reopened major highways.
Between January and August alone, 628 victims of bandit attacks were treated, he revealed.
Even so, supply lines of weapons, food, drugs and fuel remain a nagging problem, and informants within communities still aid the criminals.
Despite progress, fears remain that the fragile peace could shatter if the bandits don’t keep their word.
