Katsina State officials have once again engaged in peace talks with armed bandits, sparking mixed reactions among residents
The latest dialogue took place on Saturday in Matazu Local Government Area.
Traditional leaders and local government officials sat face-to-face with representatives of the armed groups responsible for years of violence in the region.
The government said the talks were part of efforts to reduce hostilities and secure the release of abducted civilians.
This meeting followed another controversial dialogue held last week in Faskari Local Government Area, where notorious bandit kingpins appeared openly carrying weapons.
Authorities confirmed that the talks yielded results. Notorious bandit leader, Isya Kwashen Garwa, released 40 captives in Faskari.
This came only days after 30 others were freed, bringing the total to about 70 hostages released in one week.
In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, Garwa told officials he personally entered the bush to gather and free the abducted persons.
He said the releases were made in fulfilment of promises from the earlier peace meeting.
However, Garwa issued a warning.
He alleged that on Friday, security operatives attacked Ruwan-Godiya and killed members of his community, including women and children.
He said motorcycles and property were also seized.
According to him, such incidents could derail the peace pact and push his fighters back into violence if the government failed to act.
Katsina’s Security Commissioner, Nasiru Mu’azu, recently told the BBC that negotiations did not originate from the state government but from village leaders desperate to end killings, kidnappings, and cattle rustling.
He admitted that the collapse of earlier amnesty programmes worsened insecurity, spreading violence from five local governments between 2011 and 2015 to 25 LGAs by 2023.
Mu’azu also revealed that the bandits demanded schools, hospitals, and grazing reserves in exchange for peace. These requests, he said, emerged during community-led talks in areas including Dan Musa, Jibiya, Batsari, Kankara, Kurfi, and Musawa.
Despite the ongoing talks, many residents fear the negotiations only strengthen the bandits. Critics argue that sitting with armed criminals undermines state authority and may encourage further abductions. Others, however, see the dialogue as the only path to securing the safe return of hostages.
The Katsina government now faces a difficult balancing act. While desperate communities want peace at any cost, sceptics warn that repeated negotiations without firm security measures could entrench lawlessness.
With the bandits openly setting conditions and issuing threats, the outcome of these peace talks remains uncertain.
Despite the tense lead-up, the meeting with government officials ended successfully.
