By: Zagazola Makama
A dramatic turn unfolded in Katsina State on Sunday as notorious bandit kingpin, Ado Allero, pledged his commitment to peace after a high-powered dialogue meeting in Faskari Local Government Area — a parley described as the largest ever peace initiative between armed groups and community leaders in the North-West.
The dialogue drew a record number of bandit groups, who, according to organisers, agreed to embrace reconciliation and coexistence with local communities ravaged by years of kidnappings, killings, and violent raids.
Addressing the gathering, Allero, once one of the most feared figures in the region, struck a tone of remorse and hope. He recalled his past involvement in peace efforts across Katsina, lamenting that earlier initiatives collapsed after what he described as the “unjust” arrest of his son.
> “At that time, we were coexisting peacefully with security agencies and authorities,” he said. “I pursued justice for my son’s case from Faskari to the state level, and even at the Federal level, but found no reason for his detention. That betrayal forced me to denounce the peace process and return to hostility.”
Despite past disappointments, Allero declared that the Faskari dialogue was different, insisting it marked the first time such a large assembly of bandit groups openly committed to peace. He expressed optimism that this effort would not only bring calm to Katsina but also resonate across other troubled states.
Still, doubts linger. Stakeholders at the meeting reminded participants that similar peace pacts in the past collapsed, as some bandit factions who embraced dialogue in Katsina later continued violent campaigns in neighbouring Zamfara, Sokoto, and Niger States.
The gathering, however, ended on a hopeful note, with traditional rulers, security operatives, and community leaders urging sincerity and long-term commitment from all sides. Many described the meeting as a “last chance” to save the region from the cycle of violence.
For residents of Katsina — a state at the epicentre of Nigeria’s banditry crisis — the words of Allero and his cohorts are being received with cautious optimism. The question remains: Will this be the turning point, or just another false dawn in the battle for peace?
PIONEER NEWS 