Notorious bandit leader warns: stop calling us terrorists or else

DDM News

Ado Aleru, a widely known and wanted bandit commander, has issued a stern warning to Nigerian authorities and society at large, stating that continued labelling of his group as “terrorists” will only fuel ongoing violence in the North-West.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that Aleru made the shocking statement during a peace dialogue session in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State, where he appeared in person and spoke on behalf of his armed group.

In his words: “As long as we are still being called terrorists, then do not expect us to stop behaving like terrorists.”

His comments have since sparked outrage, concern, and fierce debate across Nigeria, especially as he remains a wanted man by security agencies for leading violent attacks across Katsina and Zamfara States.

Aleru defended the actions of his group, claiming their resort to banditry was born out of prolonged injustice, social exclusion, and government failure.

He insisted that many of the young men involved were victims of years of abandonment, not criminals by choice.

“Our parents are not happy with what we are doing, and even we do not truly want this life in our hearts,” he said.

He expressed a desire for the return of peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers, which he claimed existed in the past before tensions escalated.

“We would prefer a return to the way things were, where there was mutual respect between farmers and herders, and security personnel stuck to their duties without bias,” he added.

Aleru emphasized that genuine peace could only be achieved through mutual respect, an end to societal stigmatization, and honest engagement between all stakeholders.

He argued that continued derogatory labelling undermines reconciliation efforts and entrenches mistrust between armed groups and the government.

His comments come amid renewed peacebuilding efforts by traditional rulers, local authorities, and security agencies seeking to end cycles of violence in the North-West.

The Danmusa meeting is part of wider initiatives aimed at reducing conflict in a region frequently targeted by armed bandits, cattle rustlers, and kidnappers.

Some community leaders present at the meeting reportedly acknowledged the need for dialogue, although Aleru’s defiant tone has raised questions about the sincerity of such peace efforts.

Critics of the meeting argue that hosting a known criminal figure without immediate arrest sends the wrong message to victims and emboldens violent actors.

Security analysts have expressed concern that allowing Aleru to dictate the terms of peace undermines the rule of law and may further erode public confidence in state institutions.

Many Nigerians online have reacted angrily, accusing the government of negotiating with murderers while innocent citizens suffer the consequences of daily attacks.

Others, however, argue that dialogue remains the only realistic way to stem the bloodshed in regions where government presence is weak and heavily armed groups wield local influence.

Aleru is linked to multiple mass killings, abductions, and raids across Zamfara and Katsina, including the infamous Kadisau massacre, where dozens of residents were killed.

In a controversial move in 2022, he was turbaned as a “peace ambassador” by a traditional leader in Zamfara — a decision that sparked national outrage and further highlighted the desperation of authorities to secure peace.

Despite being declared wanted, he continues to operate freely, raising concerns about complicity, weak intelligence operations, and the blurry lines between negotiation and capitulation.

The Katsina State Police Command has yet to issue a formal statement on the dialogue or explain why Aleru remains at large despite his public appearance.

For now, Aleru’s demand for respect and the dropping of the “terrorist” label remains a disturbing symbol of Nigeria’s complicated war against banditry and insurgency.

DDM will continue to track reactions from authorities, victims’ families, and civil society groups as the controversy around Aleru’s statements deepens.

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