At least 20 of Katsina State’s 34 Local Government Areas (LGAs) have signed a peace agreement with armed groups identified in security reports as bandits, even as fresh attacks in some areas raise doubts about the truce’s effectiveness.
The agreement was reached during a meeting attended by council chairmen and traditional rulers from the participating LGAs. Reports indicate that armed group members arrived on motorcycles, fired gunshots into the air, and left within an hour. Journalists were barred from recording the proceedings due to security concerns.
Media reports suggest that the groups requested the release of detainees in government custody, while offering to free people they currently hold. Local authorities reportedly agreed to channel any such requests through official security and correctional institutions.
Despite the accord, residents in affected communities expressed anxiety over continuing attacks. One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “My only hope is for us to regain our freedom and have peace. Many lives have been lost, and livelihoods destroyed. We just want to start again.” Another called for ongoing dialogue and stronger oversight committees to ensure the truce holds.
A third resident noted cautiously that the agreement could provide temporary relief for rural communities struggling with economic hardship. “If this agreement holds, our communities may have a chance to harvest and rebuild. Many people in the southern and eastern parts of Katsina have faced serious losses,” he said.
The central concern remains the recurrence of attacks in LGAs already under the truce, prompting calls for sustained security measures and clearer communication from authorities.
