Fresh Attacks Persist as 20 Katsina LGAs Enter Peace Accord With Bandits

No fewer than 20 out of the 34 local government areas in Katsina State have reportedly entered into a peace accord with armed bandit groups, a development that has triggered widespread concern among residents following renewed attacks in some of the affected communities

According to local officials and community leaders involved in the negotiation process, the accords were initiated as part of efforts to curb the persistent insecurity that has ravaged several parts of the state. The peace deals were brokered at community-level meetings involving council chairmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders and representatives of the armed groups However, despite the agreements, residents say the renewed wave of attacks shows that the bandits may not be committed to honouring the truce. Reports from various communities revealed fresh assaults on villages that were supposedly covered by the peace pact, raising doubts about the sincerity and long-term effectiveness of the initiative. Some locals described the negotiations as “negotiating from a position of weakness,” especially following claims that armed men arrived at some of the meetings fully armed, firing shots into the air as a show of strength. Others expressed concerns that allowing bandits such leverage may embolden them rather than reduce violent activities Community elders and civil society actors have also questioned the absence of a clear monitoring framework, disarmament plan or official communication from security agencies outlining the conditions of the agreements. They noted that without transparency and enforcement mechanisms, peace accords risk becoming temporary arrangements that collapse at the slightest provocation. While the state government has not released an official list of the LGAs that signed the pact, local sources maintain that majority of the affected councils fall within the frontline areas most impacted by banditry over the past year. Residents are now urging both the state and federal governments to adopt a more comprehensive security strategy that goes beyond dialogue — including increased security deployment, accountability for attacks, and proper rehabilitation support for victims. As the situation develops, the durability of these peace deals and their impact on the safety of rural communities remain key concerns for millions of Katsina citizens who have endured years of violence.