Efforts at negotiating peace with armed bandit groups in Faskari LGA, Katsina State, have come under renewed scrutiny following a deadly attack by a notorious bandit leader who has imposed a multi-million naira levy on residents of Doma.

The incident point to the risks of engaging in dialogue with criminal elements without prior disarmament.

Local sources told Zagazola that Isiya Kwashen Garwa, a bandit reportedly involved in ongoing negotiations with the Katsina State Government, led a violent raid on Doma, killing more than 20 residents.

Shortly after the attack, the bandit leader demanded payment of a multi-million naira levy under threat of further violence, sending waves of panic through the community.

Residents have begun fleeing their homes, relocating to nearby villages for safety, citing fear of reprisal attacks. “People are leaving the town because they believe the bandits may return if the levy is not paid,” one local source said. Many villagers, already impoverished by repeated attacks, destruction of property, and cattle rustling, said they cannot meet the exorbitant demands.

The attack raises questions about the role of local government officials in the fragile peace process. A viral video circulating on social media showed the Faskari LGA Chairman and the local councillor condemning army troops after they responded to a bandit attack while peace talks were ongoing.

The local government officials have frequently attend bandits naming ceremonies, often bringing bandit leaders closer to villagers, effectively blurring the line between dialogue and complicity.

Security analysts warned that negotiations without enforceable disarmament or credible security measures are inherently temporary. Zagazola Makama had earlier cautioned that bandits involved in such talks could easily turn against communities at any time, a prediction that appears to have materialized in Doma.

On the federal level, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, reiterated that state governments negotiating with bandits are “on their own” and that the Nigerian Armed Forces do not support such programs due to the fact that the bandits often return to their crimes after many occasions.

The Imposition of illegal levies has become a common extortion tactic in North-West Nigeria, and the Doma incident illustrated the precariousness of communities caught between armed groups and ineffective local governance.

Security agencies continue operations targeting bandit enclaves in Katsina and neighbouring states, but residents have called for increased protection to enable displaced families to return safely and resume normal economic activities.

This episode may mark a turning point in Katsina’s approach to banditry, signaling that dialogue without enforcement, disarmament, and close coordination with national security forces could have deadly consequences for local populations. (Zagazola)

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