Banditry: How Viable is Katsina State's Systematic Peace Accord?

 Banditry: How Viable is Katsina State's Systematic Peace Accord?

By

Prof M. K. Othman

Following Mallam Dikko Radda's invitation, I participated in a high-level security and governance stakeholders’ consultation focused on improving Katsina State. The event brought together a diverse group, including elders, political and religious leaders, traditional rulers, retired military generals, academics, youth representatives, civil society members, and prominent sons and daughters of Katsina, both within and outside the state. It was a gathering of notable indigenes of Katsina State, united by a shared goal and commitment to tackling the security issues facing Katsina State, and indeed, the North West region. As a public affairs analyst, weekly newspaper columnist, and university teacher, I was excited about the opportunity to examine, provide my insights, and offer advice on the critical security challenges affecting the development of my state, Katsina, and Nigeria. I believe that community involvement is crucial in addressing these challenges, and I encourage all stakeholders to participate actively in this process. 

Earlier in 2023, I wrote three articles in this column at different times: "Goldmine: Katsina State's Gargantuan Agricultural Potential and Matters Arising," "Sitting on a Goldmine: Irrigation, a Glorious Future for Katsina State," and "Katsinan Dikko: Beyond 100 Days and Matters Arising." In these articles, I made modest contributions to identifying the best ways to address Katsina state's development issues, especially in agriculture. I am pleased to note that an irrigation agency has been established, which was one of my recommendations in the article.

By definition, banditry is armed violence for economic gain, involving crimes like robbery, kidnapping, and cattle rustling by lawless individuals or groups. In the northwest, banditry has evolved into a form of guerrilla warfare, involving one known and four unknown adversaries. The known enemies are the ruthless and blood-soaking bandit leaders (Kachallas) who move with their arms, commit all sorts of atrocities, and communicate with the world through social media with impunity.

The three unknown enemies are informants, food and fuel suppliers, and gun-runners who live within the communities and are considered to be kin of the victims. The fourth group includes unscrupulous security personnel and irresponsible community leaders who conspire, aid, and support banditry while pretending to be responsible authorities. The actions of these hidden enemies have made the fight against banditry complex and unending, causing fear, hopelessness, loss of lives, and destruction of property in the affected communities. Unfortunately, these hidden enemies are our friends, sons, daughters, and very close people who pretend to be part of us.

For example, a son colluded with bandits to kidnap his diabetic father and received N50,000 of the N5 million ransom paid for his release, but the father was brutally killed. The bandits' acts of terrorism were shocking and disturbing, illustrating the extreme barbarism of man against man beyond what anyone could imagine. It reflected a society with a completely broken value system. How did we get here, and what steps can we take to change this horrific trajectory to one of prosperity? The purpose of the security and governance stakeholders' consultation, organized by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State, was to answer these questions. 

At this occasion, the governor, Umaru Radda, was clearly emphatic about obtaining the necessary opinions to address the challenges as he affirmed, "In the last two years, we have massively intervened in security, education, agriculture, health, social investment, and economic empowerment. We have used all our ideas and now require fresh perspectives from you, our distinguished audience. We have no monopoly on knowledge, and your perspective from outside can provide us with fresh ideas that may help address the challenges of security and governance in Katsina state." Adding, "no matter how offensive, you are invited to give suggestions and identify some of our shortcomings. We are prepared to make the necessary changes to bring peace and progress to the state." This paraphrased inspiring statement encouraged the audience to provide numerous oral and written suggestions from hundreds of audience members invited to the consultation. As a result of the high-level consultation, a new phase of prosperous governance and security measures, aimed at ensuring peace, is likely to unfold in Katsina, God willing, sooner rather than later, amen.

The consultation took place at a time when some local government areas in the state were holding peace accords with bandits. Can this consultation be the catalyst that accelerates the agreement? And more importantly, how viable is the state's systematic accord?  

However, the bandits' actions have consistently violated these peace agreements. Their increased displays of firepower and lawlessness, often in exchange for money, have turned these agreements into a stage for the bandits to show their strength and influence. In 2016, an agreement was made with the notorious bandit leader Buharin Daji. The truce, brokered by former Governor Abdulaziz Yari, involved fighters surrendering stolen cattle and some weapons in exchange for cash. However, when Buharin Daji, who was appointed as a special advisor to the governor and was receiving a stipend, was killed by rival bandits, the deal collapsed. The bandits did not keep their promises. By 2017, over a thousand young men had renounced violence, a scene repeated in Katsina and Sokoto. In 2019, Zamfara's new governor, Bello Matawalle, revived the policy with a "cows-for-guns" deal. Hundreds of hostages were released, and repentant fighters were displayed for the media. In October 2019, the Katsina state government offered amnesty to armed groups in exchange for the release of 70 captives. During the ceremony, the bandits surrendered only two AK-47 rifles. Governor Masari promised rehabilitation and reintegration. However, within months, residents reported new attacks.

However, the recent peace initiative in Katsina State seems different because the bandits, under heavy firepower pressure and tired of the continuous bloodshed among their kin and communities, according to reports, had no choice but to agree to peace. While the state government doubted their sincerity, key stakeholders at the local government level, led by the LGA Chairmen, started the peace process. Some LGAs, including Safana, Kurfi, Jibia, and Faskari, among others, are already experiencing relative peace due to the agreement made with the bandits. This development brings a glimmer of hope for a peaceful future in Katsina State.

For discerning minds, the peace deal is like the truce reached in Liberia after a deadly civil war a few decades ago. A Liberian woman was asked by a journalist why she was voting, which was part of the truce with rebels. The woman said, "I lost my son, my husband, and my brother in the civil war, and now I am voting for peace to stop the mindless killing of each other."

Still, the ongoing Katsina episode is pregnant with serious concerns: the bandits are negotiating with LGAs from a position of power, not some weaklings; they come to peace meetings with AK-47 rifles, Rocket Propelled Grenades, and GMG, and go back to the bush with them after the peace deal. They talk tough, remorseless, portraying themselves as the victims instead of being terrorists against their communities. The real victims are not seen talking, but just being set free like prisoners of war. Are the bandits not showing their firepower to scare the public and demoralize the security personnel? Why do we call it a peace deal instead of a ceasefire? How do we have a peace deal when the bandits still hold those sophisticated weapons? Can the Katsina peace deal be viable?   Yes, it is possible. 

First, the government should indirectly support the meaningful and honest dialogue with bandit leaders under the condition of surrendering all arms, showing remorse, and a complete stoppage of criminalities and banditry in the state, while maintaining the heavy firepower pressure on uncooperative and unrepentant bandits. The peace deal should be extended to other affected LGAs, if not the whole northwest, and made holistic and sustainable.

Second, to achieve success in this initiative, it is essential to grant financial independence to Local Government Areas, empowering them to address insecurity effectively. Free local councils from excessive central control and let them use their budgets to create jobs, build roads, schools, health centers, and support agricultural programs. Hunger, idleness, and neglect contribute to both crime and the rising number of child beggars on Katsina's streets. With proper oversight by agencies such as the EFCC, ICPC, members of the state assembly, and the local government inspectorate—and without immunity for LGA chairmen—funds can be protected, and mismanagement can be penalized. The state government should not overlook erring and imprudent LGA officials; they should be prosecuted and their ill-gotten wealth and assets confiscated. With financial independence, development in the LGAs will reach the entire rural area, while the governor can ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency in project execution. If implemented correctly, the Katsina state LGAs will serve as shining examples for other states to follow, and Governor Radda will set a standard for good governance in Nigeria, paving the way for higher political roles.  

 Finally, a peace accord is one of the non-kinetic strategies for ending banditry and insurgency. Other strategies include job creation, infrastructure development, good governance, accountability, transparency, consultations, and reciprocal exchanges. These approaches are directly linked to security efforts, good governance, and accountability, which can help rebuild public trust, reduce violence, and make Katsina State safer and more united. These points are thoroughly discussed in my position paper, which was submitted to the Secretariat during the high-level stakeholders’ consultation. We all look forward to a new chapter of Katsina's prosperous future. May God bring it to pass, amen.