Civil Society Groups Urge Urgent Reassessment of Katsina Peace Pacts Following Resurgence of Deadly Banditry

Civil society groups in Katsina call for an urgent reassessment of peace deals with bandits as violence threatens the farming season. Read the full report.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 9:31 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from THISDAYLIVE

The Deterioration of Fragile Peace Initiatives

The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Katsina State has expressed profound alarm regarding the collapse of recent security arrangements intended to curb provincial violence. In a formal statement released on Thursday, the coalition highlighted that a new wave of lethal incursions has effectively neutralized the progress made through previous dialogue and peace initiatives. According to Public Relations Officer Dahiru Gambo Rafindadi, the resurgence of hostilities in frontline local government areas suggests that existing frameworks are no longer sufficient to protect the populace. The coalition maintains that without a critical re-evaluation of these pacts, the state remains trapped in a cycle of temporary calm followed by devastating bloodshed.

The Targeted Erosion of Rural Livelihoods

Recent assaults on the communities of Farun Bala, Dandume, and Jikamshi have moved beyond isolated criminal acts to become a systemic threat to the state’s socio-economic foundation. Civil society leaders emphasized that these "senseless acts of violence" are occurring at a pivotal moment as residents prepare for the wet farming season. According to the coalition, the persistent fear of banditry prevents farmers from accessing their lands, directly jeopardizing regional food security and the livelihoods of thousands of families. The group argues that the psychological and economic toll of the violence has plunged vulnerable districts into a state of mourning that hinders any meaningful development or stability.

A Call for Federal Support and Enhanced Enforcement

While acknowledging the defensive efforts led by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, the CSOs asserted that the scale of the crisis now demands a more comprehensive federal response. The coalition directed an urgent appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, requesting the immediate deployment of advanced security measures across the North-west and North-east regions. According to the statement, although Nigerian security forces possess the necessary training, they require improved equipment and a more supportive enabling environment to confront the marauding groups effectively. The coalition noted that the current security climate requires decisive action from the highest levels of government to prevent the situation from escalating beyond civilian or state control....