The Katsina State Government has clarified its stance on recent peace initiatives involving repentant bandits, stating unequivocally that it is not negotiating with criminal elements.

 

 

 

Addressing journalists, Nasir Mu’azu, the state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, said the government remains committed to security operations but is also open to reintegration opportunities for bandits who voluntarily lay down their arms.

 

 

 

 

The statement comes days after a controversial peace meeting in Bichi community, Danmusa Local Government Area, where Ado Aleru—a wanted bandit leader with a ₦5 million bounty on his head—was seen publicly addressing residents, government officials, security personnel, and traditional leaders. Aleru has been on the police watchlist since 2020.

 

 

 

The gathering, which included representatives from the Nigerian Army, local authorities, and community leaders, reportedly led to some bandit leaders surrendering and declaring a commitment to peace.

 

 

 

 

Mu’azu emphasized that while the government of Governor Dikko Radda maintains a strict no-negotiation policy with bandits, it is prepared to support peaceful reintegration for those who show genuine remorse and cease all criminal activity.

 

 

 

“The position of government is very clear: from the outset, the Katsina government under Governor Dikko Radda will not negotiate with bandits,” Mu’azu said. “If the bandits feel the need to drop their arms and come forward, the government is ready to give them the opportunity to live like every normal citizen of Katsina State.”

 

 

 

He noted that communities in Jibia, Batsari, and Danmusa Local Government Areas have recently engaged in fruitful discussions with repentant bandits, resulting in a noticeable reduction in violence in those areas.

 

 

 

“Alhamdulillah, the discussions were robust and we are having peaceful activities in both Jibia and Batsari LGAs,” Mu’azu added. “Last week, bandits in Danmusa LGA also sent a messenger to their communities. There was also discussion and it yielded another form of peace deal with the LGA authorities as well as all the communities in Danmusa LGA.”

 

 

 

 

Despite these developments, Mu’azu warned that the government will continue military offensives in areas such as Kankara, Faskari, Sabuwa, and Dandume where bandit hideouts remain active.

 

 

 

“We will give them the opportunity for them to continue with normal activities but in case of them reneging their promises, we are going to deal with them as we used to,” he said.

 

 

 

The clarification comes amid growing scrutiny of the government’s approach to tackling armed banditry in the region, a crisis that has plagued parts of northwestern Nigeria for years.