The Katsina State Government has disclosed that bandits operating in the state have demanded the construction of schools, hospitals, and grazing reserves as part of ongoing peace efforts.
This revelation was made after a stakeholders’ meeting aimed at reviewing the state’s security situation.
According to a statement released by the government, the peace initiative was not directly initiated by the state but by local communities and traditional leaders who engaged the armed groups in dialogue.
“The peace agreements signed in local government areas such as Dan Musa, Jibiya, Batsari, Kankara, Kurfi, and Musawa were the result of negotiations by community leaders with repentant gunmen,” the statement read.
Katsina State Commissioner for Security, Nasiru Mu’azu, confirmed to the BBC that the bandits’ demands focused on infrastructure and livelihood support, notably the construction of schools, healthcare facilities, and the development of grazing reserves to support pastoral activities.
Security analysts say the demands highlight the deep-rooted socio-economic issues that fuel banditry.
Many experts argue that neglect, poverty, and lack of justice have contributed to the rise in cattle rustling, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.
Mu’azu admitted that the collapse of the state’s previous amnesty programme worsened the security situation, allowing armed violence to spread from five local government areas between 2011 and 2015 to 25 local government areas by 2023.
Kabiru Adamu, a prominent security consultant, welcomed the dialogue approach but cautioned against blanket concessions.
“One of the root causes of the crisis is the feeling of oppression among some of these groups,” Adamu said. “However, it is crucial to distinguish those who genuinely need help from those who have turned crime into a business. Supporting the wrong people risks legitimising criminality.”
The scale of insecurity in Katsina remains severe. A report by Beacon Consulting revealed that in the first quarter of 2025 alone, 341 people were killed and 495 kidnapped across 247 separate attacks.
In response, the state government announced plans to rehabilitate repentant gunmen through literacy classes and vocational training programmes.
The initiative, led by the State Adult Education Agency, will also include teachings on the value of peace, justice, and the consequences of violence.
Officials confirmed that some of the bandits’ demands may be met as part of a broader peace-building effort, stressing that the goal is to restore stability and reduce violent attacks across the state.
