•Islamic cleric praises ongoing Katsina peace talks with armed groups
••Says Security agencies should help rehabilitate bandits
Northern Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, has called on Nigeria’s security agencies to support ongoing peace agreements with bandits, urging authorities to help integrate the armed groups back into peaceful civilian life.
Speaking on Saturday, Gumi praised recent peace efforts in Katsina State and likened the current bandit rehabilitation initiatives to the successful reintegration of militants from the Niger Delta region.
Addressing the situation in Sabuwa Local Government Area, where traditional rulers and community leaders recently held dialogue with bandits, Gumi said in Hausa:
“Alhamdulillah. Today, Sabuwa Local Government has reached a peace settlement with the bandits in the forests, aiming to bring lasting peace to the entire area.”
He added a prayerful message:
“Those who fuel war, may Allah bring them down. And may the security agencies avoid undermining this peace agreement, instead teaching them how to live in peace—just as was done with the Niger Delta militants. May Allah grant us peace. Ameen.”
This statement comes closely after a similar peace meeting held last week in Matazu Local Government Area, Katsina State, where government officials and traditional leaders convened with representatives from armed bandit groups to discuss reducing violence and fostering dialogue.
The engagements in Katsina also follow a recent summit in Faskari Local Government Area, which saw the attendance of several notorious bandit kingpins, some visibly armed.
Authorities hope these peace talks will be instrumental in quelling the wave of insecurity in Katsina, a state that has suffered repeated attacks, kidnappings, and widespread fear due to banditry.
However, many residents remain cautious. Concerns linger about the genuine commitment of the bandits to the peace process, as well as the safety implications of negotiating under such precarious circumstances.
Nonetheless, Sheikh Gumi’s call emphasizes the need for an inclusive approach—promoting rehabilitation and integration rather than solely relying on military action—to restore peace in troubled communities.
