BAKORI, Nigeria (Oct. 13, 2025) — Local authorities in Katsina State have begun a peace dialogue with bandits operating in the forest areas of Bakori Local Government Area as part of efforts to restore security and end years of attacks that have troubled the region.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The meeting, which took place on Sunday, was led by the Bakori Council Chairman, Hon. Abubakar Barde, and brought together community leaders, security representatives, and key figures from the affected rural communities.
Barde said the initiative was aimed at building trust between the local government and the armed groups that have been terrorizing villages, kidnapping residents, and disrupting farming activities. According to him, the dialogue is a first step toward achieving lasting peace in the area.
“Our goal is simple — to stop the bloodshed and allow our people to live and farm without fear,” Barde said during the meeting. “We want to give peace a chance and see how we can convince those in the forests to lay down their arms.”
Over the past few years, Bakori and several other local government areas in Katsina State have been hit by repeated attacks blamed on bandits who target farmers and travelers. Hundreds of residents have been displaced, while many have lost their lives or livelihoods.
The peace meeting was reportedly attended by traditional rulers, youth leaders, religious clerics, and representatives of the state government. Security officials were also present to observe the process and ensure that discussions stayed peaceful.
Sources close to the dialogue said that some of the bandit representatives agreed to consider the government’s peace proposal, which includes rehabilitation and reintegration programs for those willing to surrender their weapons.
A local resident, Malam Musa Bakori, said the people are hopeful but cautious. “We want peace, but we have heard such promises before,” he said. “We pray this time it will work and we can go back to our farms safely.”
Security experts have expressed mixed opinions about peace talks with armed groups. While some say dialogue is necessary to reduce violence, others warn that it might embolden criminals if not followed by strong enforcement measures.
Katsina State, one of the states most affected by banditry in Nigeria’s northwest region, has been implementing both military operations and peace initiatives to address insecurity. Governor Dikko Umar Radda has previously said that his administration is open to all approaches that can bring peace to rural communities.
The state government is expected to monitor the Bakori peace process closely to determine its effectiveness and decide whether it should be expanded to other troubled areas.
For now, residents are watching with cautious optimism. “If the bandits truly want peace, we will welcome them,” said Hajiya Rabi, a widow whose husband was killed in an earlier attack. “We just want to live without fear again.”
As the dialogue continues, the people of Bakori hope that Sunday’s meeting will mark the beginning of a new era of calm and cooperation in the region’s forests and farmlands.
