Widespread criticism has followed recent peace efforts by Katsina and Sokoto state governments after they held meetings with bandit groups, including notorious kingpin Ado Aleru, who remains on the Federal Government’s wanted list.
In Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State, local leaders and military personnel reportedly sat with Aleru and his faction as part of a peace initiative aimed at reducing hostilities between Fulani herders and local communities.
Aleru, despite being a fugitive, was visibly present at the talks, sparking outrage among citizens and security analysts nationwide.
Sokoto State Opens Doors to Dialogue
In Sokoto, the state government’s Special Adviser on Security Matters, Col. Ahmed Usman (retd), defended the approach, stressing the importance of non-violent conflict resolution.
“We welcome any effort that promotes peace. History shows that dialogue can end conflicts more effectively than force alone,” Usman said.
He added that Sokoto would consider negotiations with bandits willing to lay down arms and embrace peace.
Analysts Warn Against Undermining Federal Strategy
However, security analyst Deyemi Saka described the meetings as contradictory to the Federal Government’s counter-terrorism policies, raising concerns over legal and strategic inconsistencies.
“It’s ironic that states now praise the same peace model that former Zamfara Governor Matawalle was condemned for,” Saka said. “The timing is suspicious, and involving a wanted criminal like Ado Aleru sends the wrong message.”
He questioned whether the talks were held with the knowledge of the National Security Adviser, the Ministry of Defence, or the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), warning that such actions risk legitimizing banditry and undermining national security efforts.
What This Means
The Federal Government has recently intensified kinetic military operations across the North, pledging zero tolerance for violent non-state actors. The peace meetings in Katsina and Sokoto, however, appear to run counter to that policy, igniting fears of disjointed state-federal security coordination.
As tensions rise and the debate intensifies, citizens and stakeholders await a clearer policy direction on how best to resolve the insecurity ravaging Nigeria’s northern states.
