Katsina Govt Says No to Bandit Talks: Implications for Security
The Katsina State Government has firmly denied any involvement in peace negotiations with bandits, following reports of an alleged peace deal in Batsari Local Government Area. Dr. Bala Salisu, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Culture, clarified that the government maintains a strict policy against negotiating with bandits.
This stance aligns with previous statements from Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, who emphasized that past negotiations with bandits have not yielded positive results. He stated, “We don’t think negotiation with bandits is the way to go.”
Despite the government’s position, there have been instances where bandit leaders have sought truce with the state. Governor Radda noted that ongoing security operations have led some bandit leaders to seek negotiations, although the government remains cautious due to past experiences.