Coalition Warns Against Undermining Katsina's Bandit Peace Agreement

The Civil Society Coalition for Peace in Katsina State has issued a warning to individuals and factions labeled as saboteurs who might attempt to disrupt the current peace agreement established between local communities and bandit leaders in the region.

During a press conference held in Katsina on Thursday, Shamsudeen Salisu Na- Alhaji represented the coalition, stating that the peace agreement has effectively reestablished stability in previously volatile local government areas.

He elaborated that evidence gathered from the coalition’s independent inquiries, along with testimonials from residents of the impacted areas, confirmed that the community-driven peace initiative is yielding positive outcomes.

According to him, the peace agreement has accomplished what military force, including drone strikes and heavy security actions, had failed to achieve, with kidnapping incidents and violent crimes declining by 90 percent in the state.

Salisu Na-Alhaji noted that the enhanced security situation has prompted internally displaced individuals to return to their original towns, and essential services such as schools, hospitals, and major roads, previously considered unsafe, have resumed operations.

He remarked, “In areas such as Batsari, Jibia, Danmusa, and Dutsin-Ma, violence is giving way to tranquility, with fear fading and amicable relations taking the place of animosity and hatred.

He continued, “Currently, thanks to this peace agreement, we are beginning to see a return to harmonious living among the Hausa and Fulani communities, as well as between herders and farmers.

“The peace agreement has yielded significantly greater benefits than violence ever could, marking it as a clear success. As we start to enjoy the advantages of this deal, we must stay alert to protect its integrity.

Salisu Na-Alhaji underscored the importance of dialogue and reconciliation as internationally acknowledged methods for dispute resolution and cautioned against permitting “saboteurs and meddlesome individuals” to compromise the ongoing Katsina peace agreement.

He expressed confidence that ongoing conversations and negotiations with bandit groups could pave the way for enduring peace, not just in Katsina State but across Nigeria as a whole.