At least seven local government areas in Katsina State have entered into peace deals with repentant bandits as a way of addressing the spate of attacks, killings and abductions on their various communities.

The council areas that entered the peace deal on Sunday afternoon include Danmusa, Jibia, Batsari, Kankara, Kurfi, Musawa and most recently, Faskari.

In Faskari, some notorious bandits were declared wanted by security operatives, including those behind the recent attack on a mosque in Malumfashi council, which left over 30 persons dead.

Sources said all the peace deals were supervised by some government and security officials, with the agreement that the attacks should cease, while the bandits released abducted victims.

They also stated that the bandits were allowed to come and go freely, especially to community markets, but not permitted to enter with their weapons, even though they could carry machetes and walking sticks.

For community members, the bandits will allow them to freely access their farmlands and transport their farm produce to neighbouring markets without intimidation or attack.

Additionally, the repentant bandits are expected to provide security for the communities, particularly against non-repentant bandits who may attempt to attack these areas.

It was learnt that some council areas facing security challenges in the state have also begun moves to enter into similar peace deals with bandits ravaging their communities.

On its part, the state government stated that it did not initiate the peace deals, as the policy of zero negotiations with bandits had been in place since the Governor Dikko Radda-led administration took office more than two years ago.

Speaking, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Muazu, said the government doesn’t initiate peace agreements, but instead they are entirely community-driven, with local leaders and communities engaging repentant bandits, leading to such peace deals.

Muazu observed that the primary causes of banditry, kidnapping, and cattle rustling are greed, envy, natural resource conflicts stemming from climate change, and long-standing social injustices.

He stated that banditry had spread from five council areas in 2011–2015 to 25 councils following the collapse of an amnesty program during the tenure of former Governor Aminu Bello Masari from 2015 to 2023.

He, however, said the present government response has led to the serious decimation of scores of bandits, with several of their enclaves destroyed by security operatives.

He also said that the state government’s effort to address the security challenge included the recruitment and training of Community Watch Corps (CWC), vigilantes, and volunteers.

The commissioner also stated that the government has procured operational vehicles, firearms, drones, and relevant equipment, and launches joint operations with the Army, Police, and other security agencies.

He said between January and August this year, 628 bandit attack victims had received medical treatment, while major highways in security-prone areas have been reopened.

He said despite progress recorded in tackling insecurity, challenges persist around weapon, food, drug, and fuel supply lines to bandits, including the problem of community informants.

He said combining community policing strategies with sustained security operations has forced many bandit leaders to seek peace voluntarily. (The Guardian)