Bandit Leaders Pledge Lasting Peace After Dialogue with Charanci, Batagarawa in Katsina

Leaders of armed Fulani groups operating in forested areas have pledged to lay down their arms and embrace peaceful coexistence following a high-level peace dialogue with representatives of Charanci and Batagarawa Local Government Areas.

The meeting, held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, in Wurma town, Kurfi Local Government Area, brought together community leaders, government officials, and Fulani representatives in what local observers described as a “constructive and hopeful engagement.”

According to reports obtained by Militainment News, the dialogue was attended by the Chairman of Batagarawa Local Government, Hon. Yahaya Lawal Kawo, delegates from Charanci LGA, traditional rulers, and influential members of the forest-based Fulani community.

Discussions reportedly centred on ending cycles of attacks, cattle rustling, and reprisal killings that have plagued parts of Katsina and neighbouring states in Nigeria’s northwest.

At the end of the meeting, representatives of the Fulani groups committed to lasting peace, promising to halt violent operations and cooperate with local authorities to rebuild trust.

“We want to live in peace with our neighbours. We are tired of bloodshed. We have agreed that enough is enough,” one of the Fulani representatives was quoted as saying during the meeting.

Chairman Yahaya Lawal Kawo commended the initiative, describing it as a step in the right direction toward stabilising communities that have suffered years of insecurity.

He assured the groups that the government remains open to continuous dialogue and will work to ensure that their genuine concerns are addressed.

“We believe peace is possible if all sides are sincere.

The government is ready to support any process that will bring security and development back to our villages,” he said.

Traditional rulers and local elders also welcomed the commitment, urging all parties to uphold the resolutions reached during the dialogue.

The peace engagement follows similar meetings recently held in other parts of Katsina State, where local councils have opted for dialogue-based approaches to complement military efforts against armed groups.

Security analysts have described the move as part of a broader “community reconciliation” strategy aimed at bridging mistrust between rural residents and Fulani herders living in forest settlements.

While optimism remains high, residents have called for close monitoring of the agreement to ensure that promises made translate into tangible peace and security across the affected local government areas.