Safana Local Government Area (LGA) in Katsina State has become the latest to enter a peace agreement with armed bandits, joining a handful of councils that have opted for community-led truces to stem violence and restore farming activities.
Prior to this development, only Jibia, Batsari and Danmusa LGAs had similar arrangements, which allow residents to work their farms without fear while granting bandits unhindered access to markets, hospitals, and shops. Many other frontline LGAs — including Kankara, Faskari, Dutsinma, Sabuwa, Malumfashi, Kurfi, Bakori, Funtua, and Dandume — remain plagued by attacks, killings, and kidnappings.
The Safana accord was sealed during a meeting on the fringes of Gemi Forest in Runka town, attended 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. Community members and several bandit leaders were also present.
Both sides agreed to reconcile differences, build trust, and ensure peace across Safana and neighbouring areas. Speaking on behalf of the bandits, Kachalla Ruga Alhaji Usman urged all parties — farmers, herders, and residents — to live peacefully and work freely.
Alhaji Sada Rufa’i, expressing satisfaction over the reconciliation, called on the bandit leaders to fear God and honour the truce. Youth leader Abdulhamid Danda echoed the call, urging young people from both communities to support the deal.
The agreement contains 20 conditions. Chief among them is the cessation of all attacks, killings, and kidnappings by the bandits, with full access granted to farmers to tend their land. In exchange, herders are to move freely in towns without harassment, enjoying equal access to markets and other public amenities.
Chairman Abdullahi Sani Safana pledged to protect the dignity of all parties, directing education and health departments to assess facilities serving nomadic communities for repairs. He also promised free access to hospitals for herders and pledged to rehabilitate dams for their use.
Background of Peace Deals
On February 28, Jibia LGA reached a peace agreement with bandit leaders after overtures from kingpin Audu Lankai, who said he was weary of the unrest. The trial arrangement, scheduled for review after Ramadan, remains in effect. In June, Danmusa LGA followed suit in Bicci village, Mara A Ward, with the truce witnessed by military, police, DSS, NSCDC, traditional rulers, and religious leaders.
During the Danmusa accord, ten notorious bandit leaders surrendered five firearms — including AK-47 rifles, a G3, and a pump-action gun — and released 16 kidnapped victims, among them a seven-month pregnant woman.
Prominent kingpin Adamu Alero admitted community disapproval of their actions, appealing to government for social amenities and urging the federal government to remove their terrorist designation to aid reintegration.
Government Maintains Hardline
Despite these agreements, the Katsina State Government insists it does not negotiate with bandits. Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu, said the pacts were initiated by communities after sustained military pressure.
“The government will not negotiate with bandits, but if they drop their arms, we will give them the opportunity to live as normal citizens,” Mu’azu stated, warning that any breach of the truce would be met with decisive action.
He added that while Jibia and Batsari have enjoyed relative peace through their community-led initiatives, security operations will continue in LGAs still experiencing attacks.
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