Escalating Banditry and the Fragile Peace in Katsina State
In Katsina State, the rise of bandit attacks has led to a growing sense of fear among communities. After years of bloodshed, many have turned to backdoor peace deals with armed groups, seeking survival at the cost of justice. This fragile truce leaves countless victims behind without proper recourse.
On November 24, 2024, tragedy struck along the Magama–Jibia Road. Musa Salihu, a 31-year-old father, was on his way back to the state capital when he boarded a commercial bus. He had expressed concerns about traveling the highway, known for ambushes by insurgents and bandits. As the bus reached Dan’arau village, armed men emerged, unleashing gunfire that left passengers terrified. Musa tried to escape but was shot and later died in the hospital, leaving behind a wife and two children.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of violence. According to a report by Beacon Consulting, 341 people were killed and 495 others kidnapped in 247 attacks across Katsina in just the first quarter of 2025. The situation reflects a deep-rooted crisis in the region.
Origins of Banditry
The roots of banditry in Northern Nigeria can be traced back to cattle rustling, farmer–herder clashes, and disputes over land and water. The weakening of traditional authority and the collapse of local vigilante structures in the 1990s created an environment ripe for criminal activity. The influx of arms from regional conflicts, such as the 2011 Libyan civil war, further armed local militias.
Poverty, unemployment, and a sluggish security response in rural areas exacerbated the problem. By the late 2010s, what began as opportunistic cattle rustling evolved into large-scale kidnappings, violent raids, and organized banditry. Today’s bandit groups are not faceless mobs but organized networks with identifiable leaders operating from forested enclaves.
Violence Without Borders
Banditry in Katsina is marked by kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, rape, and the exploitation of environmental resources. Residents like Anas Ahmed experienced this firsthand when his family was abducted during a night raid. In another incident, armed bandits invaded a mosque, killing over 40 worshippers and kidnapping more than 80 residents.
The state Commissioner for Internal Security, Dr Nasir Danmusa, described the violence as retaliatory, citing previous community ambushes against bandits. Despite these efforts, many residents feel abandoned by the government, leading some to negotiate with bandits for peace.
Military Efforts and Community Responses
Investigations revealed that the Nigerian Army and Air Force have launched sustained operations to combat banditry. These efforts have led to the elimination of high-profile bandit leaders and the rescue of kidnapped victims. However, despite military showings of force, some communities have opted for backchannel peace deals with armed groups.
Batsari LGA was the first to embrace such an arrangement, followed by Jibia. Bandit kingpins like Audu Lanai initiated peace talks, pledging to abandon violence. Similar agreements have been made in Danmusa LGA, where 16 kidnapped victims were released.
Negotiating with Bandit Kingpins
Despite these efforts, the legitimacy of these peace deals remains questionable. Some of the bandit leaders involved are on the government’s “most wanted” list. Counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama noted that one such leader, Isiya Garwa, has a long history of violence. His acceptance of peace terms has sparked mixed reactions among residents.
Garwa criticized the stereotyping of Fulani herders as bandits, arguing that all tribes have criminals. He vowed that killings and kidnappings would continue until “injustice” against the Fulani was addressed. Another kingpin, Aliero, complained about past hostilities with security operatives, highlighting the need for resolution.
Failed Peace Efforts
Similar peace efforts between 2019 and 2021 eventually collapsed after armed groups regrouped. Despite peace pledges, residents continue to pay “taxes” to the bandits. Former Katsina governor Aminu Masari recounted how bandits deceived him using the Qur’an, swearing to never engage in banditry again.
Rule of Law Undermined
Commenting on the renewed peace deals, Okechukwu Nwanguma of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre warned that negotiating with armed groups undermines the rule of law. Such agreements signal that violence is an effective bargaining tool, eroding public trust in the government.
Yusuf Nurudeen of the Foundation for Public Interest Law and Development argued that the negotiations strip the government of its constitutional responsibility to protect lives. This creates a dangerous precedent, emboldening armed groups and weakening the criminal justice system.
The situation in Katsina highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions that prioritize justice, accountability, and institution-building over short-term truces. Without addressing the root causes of violence, the cycle of conflict will continue, endangering lives and undermining national security.
