No fewer than five guns, including two AK-47s, one G3, one pumping machine rifle, one PKT gun, and two AK-47 magazines, were said to be submitted during a peace truce with ten bandit leaders terrorising Katsina State who surrendered to government officials on Saturday.
The peace agreement was reached in Katsina State’s DanMusa Local Government Area, with the bandits voluntarily surrendering their rifles and releasing kidnapped victims, including a 7-month pregnant woman.
According to a source who verified to our correspondent in Katsina, the development is part of the Nigerian army’s continuing arms surrender and disengagement plan, which is being carried out in partnership with key stakeholders.
The repentant bandits who surrendered their arms are Kamulu Buzaru, Manore, Nagwaggo, Lalbi, Alhaji Sani, Dogo Baidu, Dogo Nahalle, and Abdulkadir Black.
The group reportedly laid down their weapons and handed over 16 kidnapped persons, comprising seven women and nine children, on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
A video obtained shows ex-bandit leader Adamu Alero speaking to the repentant bandits in Hausa, “All of you are my boys when it comes to this business, but I urge you to consider this an opportunity to denounce banditry because it is the only way to go.”
“I want to also advise the public that we should shun negative words when mingling with them, as these surrender today, and their families, especially children, will be reintegrated into society, and education will be offered to them. We should rather serve as a source of encouragement to them and let us forget all that happened in the past,” Alero said while addressing the crowd on Saturday.
One of the former bandits in the video, who is wearing a head cover and is suspected of being Kamilu, spoke on behalf of others, expressing their willingness to abandon lawlessness in favour of peaceful community living. They also committed to release the remaining hostages by Sunday, June 15.
Our correspondent has gathered that the rescued victims have subsequently been turned over to the proper local government authorities for medical evaluation and reuniting with their relatives.
According to the source, all surrendered weapons has been collected, and security agents will remain in the area to ensure long-term calm and security.
Attempts to speak with the relevant officials proved futile at the time of filing this report report.
