The Katsina State Government has refuted claims of any peace negotiations with bandits, following reports of an alleged peace deal involving bandit kingpins in the Batsari Local Government Area.

The State’s Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr Bala Salisu, clarified that the government has maintained its stance against negotiating with bandits.

“We were not part of any peace deal, and the government’s position has always been that anyone who renounces violence and surrenders their weapons would be considered. But the government would not go asking to negotiate with any bandit,” Dr. Salisu stated.

Although the commissioner denied participating in the reported peace deal, he reaffirmed the government’s openness to accepting bandits who voluntarily surrender and renounce violence.

According to reports, the peace meeting took place on Sunday, January 19, 2025, in Kofa village, with the presence of military leadership, DSS representatives, traditional authorities, and local residents.

A resident who attended the meeting alleged that weapons were surrendered, kidnapped victims were freed, and the bandits described the development as the start of a comprehensive peace process.

Notorious bandit leaders, including Lamu Saudo, Abdulhamid Dan Da, Umar Black, and Abu Radda, reportedly surrendered their weapons during the meeting.

A source in the military stated that the bandits surrendered because they had no choice but to seek peace.

Lt. Lawal, the Public Relations Officer of the 17 Brigade Army, corroborated this account, highlighting the relentless pressure applied by security forces as a decisive factor in the development.