The Katsina State Commissioner of Information and Culture, Bala Salisu, has denied the state government’s involvement in any peace deal with bandits.
Mr Salisu stated this while reacting to reports of an alleged peace deal involving some notorious bandits in the Batsari Local Government Area of the state.
The commissioner maintained the state’s government remained firm in its position against negotiating with bandits.
He, however, reiterated the government’s willingness to accept any bandits who voluntarily surrender and renounce violence.
“We were not part of any peace deal, and the government’s position has always been that anyone who renounces violence and surrenders their weapons would be considered. But the government would not go asking to negotiate with any bandit,” he said.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that there had been reports of alleged peace meetings between bandit leaders and military leadership, SSS representatives, and traditional authorities.
The meeting, according to media reports, was allegedly held in Kofa village, in Batsari town.
A resident, who claimed to have attended the negotiation, told Daily Trust newspaper that the bandits demanded safe access to communities and pledged to stop their attacks.
“They surrendered weapons and released captives,” said the resident, claiming this was the beginning of a comprehensive peace process.
Notorious bandit leaders, including Lamu Saudo, Abdulhamid Dan Da, Umar Black, and Abu Radda, reportedly surrendered their weapons and freed kidnapped victims during the meeting.
Confirming the incident, the public relations officer for the 17 Brigade Army, Lt. Lawal Abubakar attributed the surrender of the terrorist to the relentless pressure applied by security forces.
