Residents of Katsina State have been spotted celebrating as hundreds of terrorists, commonly referred to as bandits, armed with AK-47 rifles and riding motorcycles, invaded a community during a peace dialogue meeting.
Meanwhile, the bandits moved freely with their weapons, drawing cheers and praise from some locals, despite the absence of Nigerian security agencies in the area.
In a video shared by SaharaReporters, residents were seen taking selfies with some of the bandits, shaking hands with them, and even praising them, while others engaged them in friendly conversations.
Meanwhile, the residents appeared to treat the bandits like celebrities, enthusiastically posing for pictures with them.
In recent years, the region has witnessed frequent kidnappings, cattle rustling, and deadly raids on rural communities, forcing many residents to flee their homes.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, a peace accord was reached between the Musawa Local Government community and bandit groups under the Katsina State Government’s Operation Safe Corridor initiative.
The dialogue, held at Tashar Mai Alewa Primary School in Danmusa Local Government Area, aimed to promote sustainable peace and reconciliation.
The Musawa community delegation was led by the Council Chairman, the District Head of Musawa, and other key stakeholders. On the side of the bandits, representatives Ummaru Munore and Wada Turawa participated through their mediator, Ardo Abdulkarim Yantumaki.
According to a communiqué issued after the meeting, both parties agreed to foster peaceful coexistence, secure the release of kidnapped and detained persons, and uphold order and justice in the area.
Speakers from both sides pledged to sustain the peace accord and prevent further hostilities.
The meeting, which began at about 2pm, ended peacefully at 3:40pm.
Security agencies have since intensified patrols and surveillance in the region to consolidate the gains of the dialogue.
