No fewer than 20 out of the 34 local government areas in Katsina State have entered into a peace accord with several bandit groups, even as new attacks continue to raise doubts about the sustainability of the agreement.
Diaspora Digital Media gathered that the deal was reportedly reached during a closed-door meeting involving council chairmen and traditional rulers from the affected local government areas.
Journalists were barred from recording the session due to security concerns.
Sources who attended the meeting told Vanguard that the armed groups rode into the venue on motorcycles, fired several shots into the air as a show of presence, and departed barely an hour later.
According to accounts of the discussions, the bandit groups demanded the release of some detained members but indicated readiness to free individuals currently held in their camps.
Local officials reportedly insisted that all such requests would be processed through the appropriate security and correctional institutions.
Despite the truce, anxiety remains high among residents in the areas covered by the deal, following continued incidents of violence in some communities.
One resident, who declined to be named for safety reasons, said people in the affected locations are desperate for normalcy after years of fear.
“My only hope is for us to regain our freedom and have peace. Many lives have been lost, and livelihoods destroyed. We just want to start again,” he said.
Another community member urged authorities to adopt a more structured engagement strategy to prevent a breakdown of the fragile agreement.
“There should be ongoing dialogue to avoid misunderstandings. Strong committees need to meet regularly to review progress and address lapses,” he advised.
A third resident welcomed the arrangement cautiously, describing it as a temporary relief for rural dwellers battling economic hardship.
“If this agreement holds, our communities may have a chance to harvest and rebuild. Many people in the southern and eastern parts of Katsina have suffered serious losses,” he noted.
However, concerns persist over the recurring attacks in some local government areas already covered by the accord.
The situation has led to renewed calls for stronger security measures, clearer communication from authorities, and more accountability in the implementation of the peace deal.
