Peace Talks Held Between Bandits and Faskari Community in Katsina
Katsina Times | By Auwal Isah Musa & Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar
A peace dialogue was convened on Sunday 14, September 2025, in Bilbis, Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, bringing together community leaders and notorious bandit commanders in an attempt to end years of violence in the region.
The meeting was attended by traditional rulers, district heads, and community leaders, including the Hakimi of Faskari, Engr. Aminu Tukur Sa’idu, and the Sarkin Yamman Katsina, Hakimin Mairuwa, Alhaji Sani Sabo Idris. Prominent among the bandits’ leaders present was the wanted commander, Alhaji Ado Aleru.
In his remarks, the Hakimi of Faskari described the dialogue as “an important step towards restoring peace,” praying for sustainable security in the area.
Speaking on behalf of the bandits, Hassan Magazu criticized foreign media reports as unfair, urging outsiders to “come home and see the suffering firsthand” rather than write from afar. Another commander, Isiya Kwashe, blamed ethnic divisions for fueling the crisis, stressing that genuine peace can only be achieved through justice.
Ado Aleru, seen as the most influential figure among the bandits, stated that the peace initiative would rebuild ties between Fulani and Hausa communities, noting that the pact could extend beyond Faskari to other parts of Nigeria.
The Sarkin Rafin Katsina, Hakimin Mairuwa, recalled how Fulani and other groups once lived harmoniously, calling for collective effort to restore peace. The session ended with prayers for lasting stability in Faskari, Katsina, and Nigeria at large.
Meanwhile, Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina State reaffirmed his stance on such agreements, stressing that peace talks would only be considered if bandits first surrender their weapons under pressure from security forces. “I will only engage them in dialogue when they themselves seek it after feeling the heat from our security forces. Government will also support victims and repentant fighters who renounce violence,” the governor said.
This aligns with the European Union’s Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience (CPCRR) programme being implemented in Katsina and Zamfara. The initiative focuses on preventing conflict, addressing crises, and strengthening community resilience, while reintegrating repentant fighters into society.
The Faskari peace dialogue is part of similar engagements held across seven local government areas — Jibiya, Batsari, Kankara, Kurfi, Danmusa, Safana, and Faskari — with hopes of expanding the initiative to other affected areas in the state.
