Other frontline LGAs — Kankara, Faskari, Dutsinma, Sabuwa, Malumfashi, Kurfi, Bakori, Funtua, and Dandume — remain without such deals and continue to experience killings, attacks, and kidnappings.
Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State has entered into a peace agreement with armed bandits, joining Jibia, Batsari, and Danmusa LGAs in similar accords aimed at restoring calm to their communities.
Before this development, only the three LGAs had such arrangements, enabling farmers to work without fear while bandits moved freely to markets, hospitals, and shops in towns and villages.
Other frontline LGAs — Kankara, Faskari, Dutsinma, Sabuwa, Malumfashi, Kurfi, Bakori, Funtua, and Dandume — remain without such deals and continue to experience killings, attacks, and kidnappings.
The Safana peace talks took place at the fringes of Gemi Forest in Runka town, with LGA Chairman Abdullahi Sani Safana, Yariman Katsina and Head of Safana Alhaji Sada Rufa’i, and District Head of Zakkah Alhaji Sani Muhammed Zakka leading the delegation. Many community members and bandits attended.
Both sides agreed to reconcile differences, build trust, and maintain peace. Alhaji Sada Rufa’i expressed happiness at the reconciliation, urging bandit leaders to “fear God, live peacefully, and honour the truce.”
According to Daily Trust, speaking for the bandits, Kachalla Ruga Alhaji Usman said, “As we have decided to hold this peace agreement, let us live peacefully. Farmers, herders, and everyone should go to their farms and work peacefully. All should be allowed to move and work freely.”
The LGA chairman pledged to protect the dignity of all parties, assess schools and hospitals serving Fulani herdsmen for repairs, and ensure free access to markets, hospitals, and basic amenities.
The agreement, which contains 20 terms, requires the bandits to cease all criminal activities and allow unhindered access to farmlands. Farmers and residents must also not harass herders when they visit towns.
Similar accords in Jibia, Batsari, and Danmusa have included the unconditional release of captives and arms surrender. In Danmusa, bandits handed over weapons and freed 16 kidnapped victims, including a pregnant woman.
The Katsina State government maintains it does not negotiate with bandits, stating such peace deals are community-led.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu, said, “The government will not negotiate with bandits, but if they choose to drop their arms and come forward, we will give them the opportunity to live as normal citizens.”
He added, “If they renege on their promises, we will deal with them as we have always done. That remains the position of the government.”
