Safana LGA joins Katsina peace deal with bandits

Safana Local Government Area (LGA) in Katsina State has entered into a peace agreement with armed bandits, joining Jibia, Batsari, and Danmusa in similar arrangements aimed at restoring calm to troubled communities.

Before this latest development, only three LGAs had struck such deals, which allowed farmers to work their fields in relative peace while granting bandits free movement to markets, hospitals, and shops.

Other frontline LGAs—including Kankara, Faskari, Dutsinma, Sabuwa, Malumfashi, Kurfi, Bakori, Funtua, and Dandume—remain under attack, with frequent killings and kidnappings.

The Safana peace talks, led by LGA Chairman Abdullahi Sani Safana, Yariman Katsina and Head of Safana Alhaji Sada Rufa’i, and the District Head of Zakkah, Alhaji Sani Muhammed Zakka, took place at the fringes of Gemi Forest in Runka town.

Community members and bandits were in attendance.

Both sides pledged to reconcile differences, build trust, and ensure lasting peace.

Rufa’i urged the bandits to “fear God and live peacefully,” while bandit leader Kachalla Ruga Alhaji Usman assured farmers and herders they could “go to their farms and work peacefully” without harassment.

Under the 20-point agreement, bandits are to cease all attacks, killings, and kidnappings, and allow unhindered access to farmlands.

In return, residents must not harass Fulani herdsmen when visiting towns and must grant them free access to markets and amenities.

Safana’s truce follows recent accords in Jibia, Batsari, and Danmusa, which have brought months of relative calm, though occasional isolated attacks persist.

In Danmusa, repentant bandits surrendered five firearms, released 16 kidnapped victims, and pledged to renounce violence.

Prominent kingpins, including Adamu Aliero, urged government investment in schools and social amenities, warning against labelling them as terrorists to aid reintegration.

State Government Distances Itself
Despite the local deals, Katsina’s Commissioner for Internal Security, Nasir Mu’azu, reiterated that the state government does not negotiate with bandits.

He described the accords as community-led initiatives, often following sustained military pressure.

“The government will not negotiate, but if they drop their arms, we will allow them to live as normal citizens,” Mu’azu said, warning that any breach of the truce would be met with decisive action.