‘They never disarm after peace talks’ — Residents doubt new dialogue with bandits in Katsina
A peace dialogue between local authorities and bandits operating in the forest areas of Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State was held on Sunday under the leadership of the Council Chairman, Hon. Abubakar Barde.
The meeting, which took place in Bakori town, was aimed at strengthening peaceful coexistence and addressing lingering issues between pastoralist communities and local residents.
Hon. Barde emphasized the importance of dialogue and mutual understanding in achieving lasting peace, noting that security and development can only thrive in an atmosphere of harmony.
He assured the Fulani representatives of the local government’s commitment to supporting all efforts that promote peace and stability, while urging them to continue cooperating with security agencies and community leaders.
However, some residents and traditional leaders who attended the meeting expressed skepticism over the effectiveness of such peace dialogues, lamenting that similar peace deals in the past often failed to yield results.
They recalled the last peace deal held in some communities in Katsina last month, where bandits continued to launch attacks despite earlier agreements.
According to them, the continuous attacks after peace talks have raised doubts about the sincerity of the armed groups, as most of them have refused to disarm despite repeated assurances during dialogue sessions.
One traditional leader who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “We have seen these kinds of peace meetings before, but the bandits hardly keep to their words. After every dialogue, attacks resume, and people continue to live in fear.”
Residents urged authorities to complement peace talks with stronger security measures and ensure that bandits who breach agreements are held accountable.
Community leaders, traditional rulers, and security representatives were also in attendance at the meeting.
