By John Shiklam and Francis Sardauna

Kaduna and Katsina — Miffed by the renewed attacks, kidnapping and cattle rustling by bandits in Katsina State, Governor Aminu Masari has vowed that he would no longer negotiate with them following their failure to honour previous agreements he had with them.

The governor expressed his frustration with the bandits just as their counterparts, ravaged Kaduna communities, killing nine persons and injuring many others yesterday.

Masari recalled that the bandits had signed a peace agreement with the state government where they pledged to repent and stop banditry, but that they flouted it.

Speaking to BBC Hausa in a live Instagram interview, the governor said: "They could not honour the agreement; they betrayed us."

He noted that some of the bandits were from Zamfara and Kaduna states as well as Niger Republic.

He said he was the first governor to sign an agreement with the bandits in 2016, adding that the gunmen initially honoured the agreement but later repudiated it.

The governor said: "We choose to sign the peace agreement with the bandits so as to avoid loss of lives and property, but it didn't yield a positive result. This time around we will hand it over to security personnel.

"In our effort to honour the agreement between us, we cancelled all vigilantes and volunteer groups and we allowed them (bandits) to continue with their normal activities in the state."

He stated that his government in 2016 initiated an amnesty programme for bandits, adding that the programme was initially successful until some of the bandits reneged on the agreement and went back to kidnapping, cattle rustling and other forms of banditry.

The governor explained that some of the recalcitrant bandits started carrying out attacks, including animal rustling and kidnapping.

He said with the government's new decision, only security operatives could now grant amnesty to the bandits.

"We went through with the amnesty programme because we wanted peace to reign in the state and we did all that within our limited resources to see the initiative succeeded, but peace has continued to elude the state," he added.

Masari said the amnesty programme led to the ban on local volunteer vigilante group, or Yansakai, across the state and measures were taken to ensure that the bandits moved freely with their animals, as well as go to local markets without being harassed.

He said it was due to the lingering security challenge in the state that led the government to ask for the federal government's assistance, which led to the recent major military operation to combat the bandits.

According to him, the military operation, which includes Nigeria Air Force (NAF) personnel, has at least five fighter jets that operate between Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto states.

He noted that the operation had recorded some successes, but it lacks equipment.

Masari called for adequate provision of equipment for the success of the military operation in the state.

Gunmen Kill Nine in Fresh Attacks on Kaduna Communities

In a related development, nine persons have been killed following a fresh attack by suspected herdsmen on Anguwan Tudu and Agwalla Magayaki communities in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The incident, according to Mr. Emmanuel Nagaiza, the youth leader of Anguwan Tudu, occurred at 5:30 a.m yesterday.

He told THISDAY that the bandits shot sporadically as they arrived in the village, forcing the villagers to scamper for safety.

He said eight people were, however, killed on the spot, while a woman who sustained serious injuries and was being rushed to the hospital, died on the way.

Nagaiza added that after attacking his community, the bandits moved to the neighbouring Agwalla Magayaki village.

He, however, stated that no life was lost as the residents of the community had fled upon hearing sounds of gunshots during the attack on Anguwan Tudu.

He explained that when the bandits discovered that the villagers had fled, they destroyed all their property, although they did not burn their houses.

Nagaiza said: "Today's (Wednesday) attack was on Anguwan Tudu and Agwalla Magayaki. But the killings took place in Anguwan Tudu because when residents of Agwalla Magayaki heard sounds of gunshots in Anguwan Tudu, they fled their homes. The attackers burnt all their property, but they didn't burn houses.

"Anguwan Tudu was attacked about 5.30 a.m by herdsmen.

"They were well armed with guns, machetes and sticks. As soon as they came, they started shooting sporadically; we had to run to the bushes for our dear lives.

"Unfortunately, eight people were killed on the spot. A woman that was being rushed to the hospital following injuries, died on the way. As I am speaking with you, we are preparing for the burial of nine people killed by these murderers.

"We saw the attackers and we know them. We can identify them. We have been living peacefully with the herdsmen in our community.

"In the whole of Kajuru, there is no place where the herdsmen live more comfortably than in Anguwan Doka.

"We don't know what we have done to deserve this brutal attack. They have turned their back against us."

The youth leader also called on the government and security agencies to stop the killings.

He said residents of three neighbouring communities, Idanu, Anguwan Rana and Anguwan Mudi had fled their homes following previous attacks by herdsmen.

In the past three weeks, many people have been killed following attacks on communities in Kajuru.

Many of those who were rendered homeless in the attacks are said to be taking refuge in five IDP camps in the area.

The spokesman of Kaduna State Police Command, Mr. Muhammed Jalige, was yet to respond to a text message sent to his mobile phone and the police/media WhatsApp platform, when contacted on the issue.

However, the Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area, Mr. Cafra Caino, confirmed nine people lost their lives in the attack.

He said the timely intervention of security operatives prevented more casualties in the attack.

He said: "We have once again been set back in our confidence building effort and peace engagements after Tudu village in Agwala Dutse general area was attacked this morning.

"It is confirmed that nine lives were lost in the attack. A detailed inventory of casualties is being taken.

"My heart goes out to all the families affected; may God grant the souls of the victims, eternal rest.

"The position of Kajuru LGA remains that all communities must take recourse to the law as against engaging in these killings and reprisals.

"I also passionately implore all and sundry to unite to win this war against criminality in our local government council.

"The council will not relent in its commitment to end the violence but success can only be achieved with the support of every peace-loving citizen."

Source: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/06/04/no-more-deal-with-katsina-bandits-masari-vows/

Front page: Lalasticlala mynd44

"In our effort to honour the agreement between us, we cancelled all vigilantes and volunteer groups and we allowed them (bandits) to continue with their normal activities in the state."

This mumu is acting surprised like this wasn't the obvious outcome. Law abiding citizens should stay armed to protect themselves. When the government fails you can always protect yourself. The bandit's were clever to ask the idiots to disband the vigilante groups. They were committed to protecting their communities because of self preservation.

Finally, right step my governor

Overwhelming idiocy everywhere.

Very lame. How can u be striking a deal with killer bandits and expecting them to stick by it. For more than a year now after the stupid deal, they never for once cease fire. Always killing ur citizens recklessly and u looked on only to be saying trash now. If u like vow or bow, u are clueless like that one in aso rock.

"We don't know what we have done to deserve this brutal attack. They have turned their back against us."

The youth leader also called on the government and security agencies to stop the killings.

The only mistake these villagers made is trusting their security to incompetent leaders. I'd recommend they stand their ground and fight these bandits off. Once they're met with sufficient force they will avoid you for easy targets. The government is only good at giving their condolences and crying on que after lives and property are lost.

MinorityOpinion:
Finally, right step my governor

It only took him four years to see the light.

I wonder if the FG will release the names of these bandits if under FOIA laws. These's no resson their identities should be hidden from the public. There should be no future amnesties because they failed and there's no evidence these guys just dont reoffend. These guys should be locked up or executed.

The most useless governor in Nigeria

Guess these are the same bandits the president said "....had been subjected to jungle justice by the affected communities, causing the miscreants to return to the communities to wreak havoc?
https://punchng.com/bandits-killed-katsina-farmers-out-of-revenge-says-buhari/

Who will you blame now? The 70years old baba sent to jail in Kastina must be release because he has been vindicated.Dont ever negotiate with evil una no dey hear.

Well, the reason is simply because you all share the same ideological & fanatical belief as these bandits/terrorists
So you must all live with the evil you created.

In Katsina State, the General’s home state, begging bandits for peace, instead of routing them, has become an awkward attribute of governance.It is a state of hopelessness that should have provoked new initiatives, but the regime appears impervious to change.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/buhari-bandits-are-taking-over-here/amp/

"In our effort to honour the agreement between us, we cancelled all vigilantes and volunteer groups and we allowed them (bandits) to continue with their normal activities in the state."

Imagine what a state governor is saying.Honouring agreement with bandits to continue with their atrocious "normal activities" while killing unarmed innocent citizens protesting for good governance

Clueless and incompetent NW governors negotiating with bandits/Unknown gunmen while a wicked president is fraternizing with BH terrorists who have cause needless pain & anguish.Well, only bandits/terrorists can do this evil.

mumu with bad advisers,you negotiated with bokoharam brother and you expected them to honour the agreement! you must be foolish pass buhari that was celebrating bokoharam flag,how many bandit leaders did you sign the agreement with?how many bandit leaders did you know? did you think that your agreement wil bind those that were not party to the agreement? how can you even trust a blood sucking TERRORIST?

Clueless governor..
Rule number 1;NEVER NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS

It's pretty funny to note the police give amnesty to babdits then arrest people for insulting Buhari and Masari. The priority of these guys is always about fanning their inflated egos.

foolish idiot,after paying them handsomely

After equipping them with arms and amunitions from the funds given them.

Its too late to cry, these bandits are fully armed with weapons and funds now, let's see how it plays out.

"In our effort to honour the agreement between us, we cancelled all vigilantes and volunteer groups and we allowed them (bandits) to continue with their normal activities in the state."

Shithole...... shithole filled with useless and compromised leaders.

Northern leaders are even more afraid of arming their people to defend themselves less they turn on the leaders later. And to make matters worse Fulani leaders including El Rufai are too sympathetic to the Fulani bandits.
If bandits were Gwari or Berom, they'd been wiped out by now.

Audio

Nonsensical. Why negotiating with criminals before in expense of INNOCENT CITIZENS. That's utmost stupidity

Wow.. So there was a deal..

Signed an agreement with criminals and expected them to keep to it? Is this guy suffering from Down Syndrome or something? This is the quality of mugs that are allowed into position of authority in this goofy country.

stonemasonn:
Northern leaders are even more afraid of arming their people to defend themselves less they turn on the leaders later. And to make matters worse Fulani leaders including El Rufai are too sympathetic to the Fulani bandits.
If bandits were Gwari or Berom, they'd been wiped out by now.

Nigerians leaders in general dont want an armed population. You hardly see anyone discussing loosening citezen gun ownership laws. The people can arm themselves if they're interested.

What I find more disheartening is the people just as affraid to handle business themselve. They'd rather cry they leaders are inept or runaway to IDP camps than fight. Boko haram reportedly has10k flighters and send millions fleeing.

Naija govt has technically been funding them

And this is a governor in a nation! SMH.