Residents of Matazu Local Government Area in Katsina State have expressed deep concern after a recent peace dialogue between community leaders, Islamic clerics, and notorious bandit groups took a disturbing turn.
Eyewitnesses revealed that a prominent bandit leader attended the talks on Saturday heavily armed with Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs), General Machine Guns (GMGs), and AK-47 rifles.
The display of these sophisticated weapons during what was supposed to be a peace meeting sparked anxiety and skepticism among residents who continue to endure frequent bandit attacks.
Community leaders and local clerics present at the dialogue voiced their shock and questioned the sincerity of such peace efforts, highlighting how the bandits came armed and left with the same arsenal, raising doubts about any genuine commitment to disarmament.
One community leader questioned, “How can this be called a peace deal when weapons of war are brought into the room?”
The clerics and authorities emphasized that for peace initiatives to yield lasting results, all involved parties must unequivocally commit to laying down their arms without conditions, putting the safety and security of the community first.
Residents have called on the government and security agencies to strengthen measures ensuring future peace talks lead to sustainable security and an end to recurrent violence.