EXCLUSIVE: Bandit Leader Speaks to News Central on Kidnappings and Failed Peace Deal in Katsina | Blissful Affairs Online
In a bold and unprecedented investigative report, News Central’s Rukayyah Jibia secured rare access to the hideout of notorious bandit leaders in Katsina State, exposing the hidden realities behind the collapse of a fragile peace agreement between armed groups and local communities.
The exclusive documentary, which premiered on June 16, 2026, revealed the grievances of the armed groups, the unmet conditions of the peace arrangement, and the factors they claim have triggered a fresh wave of kidnappings, killings, and reprisal attacks across affected communities. During the interview, the bandit leaders warned that violence would persist unless the terms they believe were agreed upon are fulfilled.
The breakdown of the ceasefire has reignited insecurity across parts of Katsina State, with renewed reports of deadly attacks, mass abductions, and widespread fear among residents who had hoped the peace initiative would bring lasting stability.
At the centre of the renewed crisis are conflicting accounts over what led to the collapse of the peace agreement. While local vigilante groups accuse the bandits of violating the terms of the truce, the armed groups insist that government authorities failed to honour key commitments reached during negotiations.
Speaking exclusively to News Central’s Rukayyah Jibia, a prominent bandit leader, Audu Lankai, alleged that government representatives failed to implement crucial aspects of the agreement.
“The government is yet to fulfill its own part of the agreement, and there are many outstanding issues. During our previous agreement, we released kidnapped victims. The government also promised to release our people from prison, but up till today they have not been released. We also agreed that schools would be built in our communities, but not a single one has been constructed,” he said.
According to Lankai, the failure to implement these commitments contributed significantly to the collapse of the peace process and the return of hostilities. Government officials, however, have rejected these allegations and maintained that efforts to implement development projects are ongoing.
Responding to the claims, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in Katsina State, Yusuf Sulaimon, assured residents that the construction of schools and the provision of other basic amenities were already in progress. He explained that government projects require due process and that the implementation of the agreement would be gradual rather than immediate.
The renewed violence has had devastating consequences for communities across the state. Residents report fresh killings, widespread kidnappings, and repeated attacks on villages since the peace arrangement collapsed, forcing many families to live in fear once again.
Community members have also expressed frustration over the slow pace of post-conflict recovery, noting that promises to rebuild damaged infrastructure and provide support for affected communities have yet to be fully realized. Many fear that without tangible progress, sustainable peace may remain elusive.
Security experts have consistently warned that peace agreements with armed groups can only succeed through transparency, mutual accountability, sustained dialogue, and the faithful implementation of agreed commitments. They argue that addressing the root causes of insecurity remains essential to preventing repeated cycles of violence.
As Katsina communities grapple with renewed insecurity, residents continue to call on both the state and federal governments to strengthen security operations, restore public confidence, and pursue lasting solutions that will safeguard lives and livelihoods.
News Central’s Rukayyah Jibia reports that while hope for peace still exists among many residents, the collapse of the ceasefire has exposed the fragile nature of negotiated settlements in communities that have endured years of armed violence.
In response to the deteriorating security situation, News Central will host a special Town Hall Meeting titled “From Fear to Safety: Survivors, Security and the Future of Katsina” on Thursday, July 9, 2026. The forum will bring together government officials, security experts, community leaders, civil society organisations, and other critical stakeholders to examine the causes of the renewed violence, promote constructive dialogue, and identify practical, sustainable solutions for restoring peace and security across Katsina State.
