Katsina: ‘Release Our leaders, We Go Free All Captives’ — Bandits

Katsina State don see small small peace move as 20 out of 34 local government areas don enter truce with bandits, even as some communities still dey face attacks. Di agreement, wey council chairmen and traditional rulers from di LGAs attend, include di bandits demand make dem release dia comrades wey dey prison for di state. In return, di armed group promise to free all captives wey dey dia custody. Local authorities gree make security agencies and correctional facilities help facilitate di process.

Di truce signing happen for Katsina to try stop fight and bring small normalcy back to affected areas. Bandits show for di venue on motorbikes, fire gunshot into air, then waka comot under one hour. Journalists no fit film di meeting because of security. Residents still dey cautious, dey question if di deal go last. One resident talk say, “My only hope na make we regain freedom from bandits. Make peace dey. Hundreds don die, survivors don lose livelihood. Make we start new life.” Others talk say committees suppose dey meet regularly to maintain di gains and review di truce. Some residents believe say di truce fit give rural communities chance to harvest crops and rebuild livelihood after economic wahala.