Maiwada Danmallam, Director-General, Media and Communication to Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, confirmed to reporters on Wednesday that bandit commanders around Batsari have voluntarily surrendered to the military following a peace initiative facilitated by a local group in Katsina.
The group said bandit leaders themselves initiated the dialogue and agreed to cease attacks.
The group explained that some of the bandits had insisted on retaining their weapons for self-defence against the rival faction who refused to support the peace agreement.
Hamisu Sa’idu Batsari, the group’s leader, confirmed the development to journalists. He identified prominent figures among those who surrendered as Abu Radda, Maikada, Umar Blak, and Tukur Dannajeriya, along with their followers.
He explained that “Each of these commanders, especially Abu Radda, is believed to have up to 500 fighters under his command,” others, including Tukur Mairakumi, Maikada, and Tukur Dannajeriya, control between 200 and 300 fighters each.
Some of the bandits who reportedly insist on keeping their weapons, cited the need to defend themselves and their livestock against rival factions who oppose the peace deal.
Batsari expressed optimism about the outcome, noting that unlike previous efforts—where authorities pursued the bandits and made unmet promises—this time, the initiative came from the bandits themselves.
As part of the agreement, the bandits pledged to end all violent activities and release all captives, including those from outside the immediate region.
In return, the bandits have requested that the government ensure equitable treatment between them and local residents, including improved access to basic services such as clean water and education.
“They also demanded an end to arbitrary arrests and killings by security forces,” Batsari said. “If any among them commits a crime, they want to be tried in court and punished according to the law.”
Maiwada Danmallam, Director-General, Media and Communication to Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, confirmed the development.
Maiwada in his own words said “I can confirm bandit commanders around Batsari have voluntarily surrendered to the military,” he also added, “As a government our stand is clear – His Excellency, Governor Radda’s policy of ‘no negotiation with terrorists’ still subsists,”
