Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has strongly condemned the recent peace meeting between communities and armed bandits in Katsina State, insisting that dialogue with killers and kidnappers is a betrayal of justice.
The outspoken lawmaker, in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, September 16, accused the state of legitimising criminals who have inflicted years of pain on the North West.
“They are bandit gang leaders who killed and kidnapped thousands in North West Nigeria. They raped women.
“They are supposed to be brought to justice or outrightly eliminated in the theatre of operations, but our security forces repeatedly failed,” Sani wrote.
He recalled that former Governor Aminu Bello Masari once tried similar negotiations in Katsina, but the effort collapsed.
According to him, both Katsina and Zamfara bandits have consistently broken agreements, even when respected clerics like Sheikh Ahmad Gumi were involved.
Sani warned that the renewed dialogue is likely to end in disappointment, stressing that the shedding of innocent blood must be stopped through more decisive measures.
“The shedding of innocent blood must come to an end, by any means practicable,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Katsina State government has defended the initiative, saying it aims to reintegrate repentant bandits and restore calm in affected areas.
Authorities also promised to provide tools, cattle, and business support packages to those who renounce violence.
However, critics like Sani argue that such concessions embolden armed groups instead of holding them accountable, leaving many to question whether peace talks can truly deliver lasting security in the troubled region.