Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State have reached a peace agreement with leaders of bandits terrorizing the area.
The deal was sealed on Sunday following a meeting convened by ward, village, and district heads in collaboration with officials of the local government council.
The peace deal was finalised at Kwanar Rogo, on the fringes of the Rugu Forest along the Dutsinma–Tsaskiya road.
The local government has come under attacks for years.
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According to reports, hundreds of lives, thousands of abductions, and property amounting to millions of naira were lost.
Present at the meeting were three notorious bandit leaders: Mo Nore, an indigene of Danmusa LGA; Adamu Alieru from Tsafe in Zamfara State; and Mohodinge from Safana LGA.
They reportedly control more than 500 fighters and possess hundreds of sophisticated weapons. The leaders arrived with over 100 armed men to present their terms for the peace accord.
The bandit leaders cautioned against violating the agreement, warning that while violence may reduce, total peace should not be expected immediately.
Mo Nore referenced past failed peace initiatives in other local governments, stressing that adherence to the agreed terms was crucial.
He assured that, as part of the ceasefire, all captives would be released and attacks suspended if their detained members were freed unconditionally.
“This peace deal should be genuine for lasting peace to prevail. Release our members, and we are already in the process of releasing all captives in our possession.
“We want peace. We were not like this before — we once lived and worked together peacefully until political manipulation caused this crisis. Thank God we are working to end it now,” he said.
On their part, the District Head of Dutsinma and the council chairman pledged a sincere reconciliation process, including rehabilitation, reintegration, and provision of basic needs for repentant bandits.
The council chairman, Kabir Abdulsalam, said, “From this moment, I assure you that all your demands will be reviewed with the intent to fulfill the agreed conditions — including restoring cattle routes, grazing reserves, and other essential needs.
“As Chairman of Dutsinma Local Government, I will also ensure the rehabilitation and reconstruction of communities affected by banditry.”
Dutsinma joined other LGAs in Katsina that had sealed a peace deal with bandits as a way of addressing the spate of attacks, killings, and abductions on their various communities.
The council areas that entered the peace deal are Danmusa, Jibia, Batsari, Kankara, Kurfi, Musawa, Faskari, Sabuwa and Dandume.
