In a major breakthrough for peace efforts, 14 bandit groups terrorizing communities in Katsina State have surrendered and laid down their arms and ammunition, promising to embrace legitimate businesses.
The bandits, unable to withstand the sustained aerial and ground assaults by the Nigerian Military, voluntarily laid down their weapons and vowed to abandon criminal activities.
It was gathered that the insurgents, who operates particularly around the Batsari and Jibia Local Government Areas of the state announced his decision following intensified military attacks on the gunmen’s hideouts inside the forests.
The repented armed groups, while surrendering, during a peace deal facilitated by the state government, agreed to a peace accord, offering a renewed sense of hope for the violence-weary communities within the state.
The leader of the Peace For All Organisation, Hamisu Sai’id, confirmed the development during a recent interview, noting that his group has played a crucial role in mediating and fostering dialogue among various factions of bandits in the state.
According to Sai’id, this breakthrough follows months of trust-building, community engagement, and negotiations with the bandits involved.
Notably, in Batsari alone, eight bandit groups disarmed, including those led by notorious figures such as Abu-Radde, who allegedly commanded over 500 fighters; Umar Black with about 300 men; and Turkur Dan-Nigeria, who oversaw more than 200.
In Jibia, six more groups agreed to surrender, among them factions led by Langai, Sahabi, and Ori, all of whom have pledged to cease violent activities.
Sai’id noted that the peace initiative has brought over three months of relative calm to previously troubled areas, contrasting sharply with the previous cycle of kidnappings, killings, and cattle rustling that terrorized residents.
However, some regions, like Safana LGA, remain restrained, and no group has yet embraced the peace process.
Sai’id disclosed that instead of cooperating, armed elements in the area have retaliated against former allies who chose peace, attacking them and seizing their livestock.
“To mitigate tensions, the Nigerian military has started partnering with the Peace For All Organisation to reach out to some of the armed factions in Safana. We’re currently in talks with a few groups that appear willing to consider reconciliation,” he stated.
Sai’id, however, alleged that efforts to broker peace in Safana were disrupted when the local council chairman contacted the military to oppose negotiations, claiming the community rejected the idea, an action he believes is driven by political motives.
Amid public criticism accusing his organisation of financial impropriety, Sai’id dismissed the claims, insisting that the mission is focused solely on ending bloodshed.
“We’re not concerned about money. Our focus is peace. I don’t bear arms—I use negotiation and communication to stop the violence,” he affirmed.
He urged the Katsina State government to provide greater backing for peacebuilding efforts, especially in regions still battling high levels of insecurity.
