Katsina Bandit Leader Accused of Killing Senior Police Officer Sets Conditions for Peace Meeting
A Katsina bandit leader reportedly set conditions before joining a planned peace meeting.
The situation has raised concerns about talks with armed groups and the risks involved.
A well known bandit leader in Katsina State, Abdurraman Jankare, who is accused of killing an Assistant Commissioner of Police, reportedly set strict conditions before agreeing to attend a recent peace dialogue. This was revealed by Dr Bashir Kurfi, the convener of the Katsina Security Community Initiative.
According to Kurfi, Jankare is believed to have been responsible for the death of the senior officer. He also claimed that the bandit leader displayed the policeman’s uniform around the areas he controls, where other members of the group were said to have celebrated him.
When arrangements were being made for the peace meeting, including the one that later spread widely on social media, Jankare and his men allegedly insisted that no police officer should attend the gathering in uniform. Kurfi further alleged that the bandit leader arrived at the meeting while wearing or holding the same uniform taken from the officer he is accused of killing.
The peace meeting was part of ongoing efforts to calm the rising insecurity in the state. However, the development has led to public debate about the idea of negotiating with armed groups and the dangers security agencies face when taking part in such discussions.
