Bandit warlords, Katsina communities agree to lay down arms

KATSINA—Tension has begun to easiness crossed parts of Katsina State pursuing a bid statement reached betwixt a radical of bandits and assemblage leaders from respective section authorities areas nether the Federal Government’s Operation Safe Corridor initiative.

According to counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, the truce was sealed connected October 12, 2025, during a important dialog held astatine Kakumi Village successful Bakori Local Government Area.

The gathering brought unneurotic representatives from Bakori, Kafur, Malumfashi, Kankara, and Funtua LGAs, alongside salient bandit leaders operating wrong the Funtua zone.

Sources revealed that the talks aimed to extremity years of recurring attacks, killings, and abductions that person devastated communities crossed confederate Katsina.

The bid dialogue, which lasted implicit 3 hours—from 2:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.—was described arsenic peaceful and constructive.

Community representatives astatine the gathering included Abdurrahman Kandarawa (Bakori), Abubakar Musa Barde (Kafur), Bature Dan Kanjiba (Malumfashi), Audu Goya (Funtua), and Kasimu Dantsoho (Kankara).

Traditional rulers besides participated, among them the District Head of Bakori, Ado Bello; Galadiman Katsina, Abdullahi Mahuta of Malumfashi; Danejen Katsina, Abdulkadir of Kafur; and Sarkin Maskan Katsina of Funtua.

Representing the bandits were Ado Aleru of Yankuzo successful Zamfara State, Isiya Kwashen Garwa of Guga Ward successful Bakori, Babaro of Gidan Gamji successful Kankara, and Iliya Zango Dan Sabau, besides from Kankara.

At the extremity of the meeting, some sides reportedly agreed to an contiguous cessation of hostilities, restoration of instrumentality and order, and a committedness to peaceful coexistence betwixt the affected communities and repentant bandit groups.

Observers accidental the latest improvement marks different large measurement successful the state’s ongoing reconciliation efforts. Similar bid meetings were antecedently held successful June and September nether the Operation Safe Corridor framework, aimed astatine encouraging dialog implicit confrontation.

Residents person expressed cautious optimism, hoping the truce volition bring lasting bid to the portion that has agelong suffered from violence, displacement, and insecurity.

The station Bandit warlords, Katsina communities hold to laic down arms appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.