Katsina bandits demand schools, hospitals, grazing reserves in peace talks

The Katsina State Government has disclosed that bandits operating in the state are demanding the construction of schools, hospitals, and grazing reserves as part of ongoing peace efforts.

State Commissioner for Security, Nasiru Mu’azu, confirmed the demands in an interview with the BBC, noting that the requests emerged during peace meetings facilitated by local community leaders in Dan Musa, Jibiya, Batsari, Kankara, Kurfi, and Musawa Local Government Areas.

According to him, the peace initiative was not initiated by the state government but by village leaders who engaged with the armed groups. He admitted that the collapse of the state’s earlier amnesty programme had worsened insecurity, allowing gun violence to spread from five LGAs in 2011–2015 to 25 LGAs by 2023.

Mu’azu identified injustice as a major driver of cattle rustling and kidnapping, stressing that addressing root causes was critical to restoring peace.

Security analyst Kabiru Adamu described the development as a step toward resolving the crisis but warned against rewarding criminals who exploit violence for profit. He urged authorities to distinguish between genuinely aggrieved groups and those entrenched in banditry.

A Beacon Consulting report revealed that in the first quarter of 2025 alone, Katsina recorded 341 deaths and 495 kidnappings across 247 attacks.

In July, the government announced a rehabilitation programme for repentant bandits, including literacy, vocational training, and religious education to help them reintegrate into society.

Officials said the state is now considering meeting some of the bandits’ requests in a bid to de-escalate violence and restore stability.