Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State has joined Jibia, Batsari, and Danmusa LGAs in negotiating a peace deal with armed bandits to restore calm in the area.
Daily Trust reports that before the latest development, only the three LGAs had such agreements, which allowed affected communities to cultivate their farms in relative peace, while bandits enjoyed freedom of movement to markets, hospitals, and shops in towns and villages for daily business transactions.
Other frontline LGAs—including Kankara, Faskari, Dutsinma, Sabuwa, Malumfashi, Kurfi, Bakori, Funtua, and Dandume—have no such deals and continue to suffer from attacks, killings, and kidnappings for ransom.
At the latest peace talks in Safana, the LGA Chairman, Abdullahi Sani Safana, led the delegation alongside Yariman Katsina and Head of Safana, Alhaji Sada Rufa’i, as well as the District Head of Zakkah, Alhaji Sani Muhammed Zakka.
The meeting was held at the fringes of Gemi Forest in Runka town, with many community members and bandits present.
Both parties agreed to reconcile differences, build mutual trust, and ensure peace in Safana and the surrounding areas.
In his remarks, Alhaji Sada Rufa’i expressed happiness over the reconciliation, urging the bandit leaders to fear God, live peacefully, and honour the truce.
Speaking on behalf of the bandits, Kachalla Ruga Alhaji Usman said, “As we have decided to hold this peace agreement, let us live peacefully. Farmers, herders, and everyone should go to their farms and work peacefully. All should be allowed to move and work freely.
Other speakers, including youth leader Abdulhamid Danda, called on young people from both sides to fear God and support the agreement.
LGA Chairman, Abdullahi Sani Safana, expressed joy at the accord, promising to protect the dignity of all parties.
He instructed the education and health departments to assess schools and hospitals serving Fulani herdsmen for repairs.
The meeting was held at the fringes of Gemi Forest in Runka town, with many community members and bandits present.
Both parties agreed to reconcile differences, build mutual trust, and ensure peace in Safana and the surrounding areas.
In his remarks, Alhaji Sada Rufa’i expressed happiness over the reconciliation, urging the bandit leaders to fear God, live peacefully, and honour the truce.
Speaking on behalf of the bandits, Kachalla Ruga Alhaji Usman said, “As we have decided to hold this peace agreement, let us live peacefully. Farmers, herders, and everyone should go to their farms and work peacefully. All should be allowed to move and work freely.”
Other speakers, including youth leader Abdulhamid Danda, called on young people from both sides to fear God and support the agreement.
LGA Chairman, Abdullahi Sani Safana, expressed joy at the accord, promising to protect the dignity of all parties.
He instructed the education and health departments to assess schools and hospitals serving Fulani herdsmen for repairs.
He cited various factors influencing their behaviour and urged governments to provide social amenities, especially schools, to educate their children for a better future.
Alero also appealed to the federal government to rescind its decision to label them as terrorists, warning that such classification could hinder their reintegration into society.
“I also urge the public to avoid victimisation and name-calling when interacting with us, as it will not help matters,” he said.
We don’t negotiate with bandits – Katsina govt insists
The Katsina State Government, however, maintained that it does not negotiate with bandits, stating that peace agreements in some LGAs were community-led initiatives involving the bandits, often after sustained military pressure.
Speaking to journalists in Katsina, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu, reiterated the government’s position of accepting surrender but not engaging in negotiations.
“We all know that Governor Dikko Umar Radda made security his top priority, and he has demonstrated his resolve to address insecurity.
“For over two years, we have been confronting the bandits, and by Allah’s mercy, we are achieving success.
“The government will not negotiate with bandits, but if they choose to drop their arms and come forward, we will give them the opportunity to live as normal citizens,” he said.
Mu’azu added, “We are fortunate that bandits in Jibia and Batsari LGAs have approached their community leaders to start discussions.
“Thankfully, these talks have been robust, and we are now witnessing very peaceful activities in both areas. However, in LGAs still under attack, security operations will continue.”
He warned that any breach of the truce would be met with decisive action.
“If they renege on their promises, we will deal with them as we have always done. That remains the position of the government,” he said.
DAILY TRUST.
