We’ve pulled out from peace agreement with bandits – Governor Masari

Governor Aminu Masari has announced that his government has pulled out of the peace agreement they reached with bandits who have been killing and destroying properties owned by innocent residents of Katsina state. 

Though the Katsina State Governor said the peace agreement his administration reached with bandits in 2016 yielded positive results, he however added that the gunmen betrayed it and have since been carrying out coordinated attacks with their accomplices from Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger Republic across the state.

Masari told BBC Hausa; 

“The armed bandits have betrayed our trust in them, following a peace agreement earlier negotiated with them, in our quest to find a lasting peace in the state. 

“We chose peace dialogue for peaceful coexistence in the state and we have done our best; yet, the attacks continue. 

“As a result of the peace agreement, the government banned vigilante groups and identified cattle routes and facilitated free movements of bandits to convey their livestock in the markets.

“The Federal Government has deployed more troops with at least five fighter jets that would work between Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto. However, the security agents are complaining of (a) dearth of logistics to help them fight the bandits.”

The Governor who stated that attacks in the state are being carried out by unrepentant bandits, said it is now left for security agents to negotiate with them.