The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has cautioned communities in Katsina State and other parts of the North against entering into peace agreements with bandits without considering the wider security implications for neighbouring states. He warned that while such deals may temporarily reduce attacks at the local level, they must not become opportunities for armed groups to expand their activities or launch fresh assaults across state borders.
The monarch gave the warning during a visit to communities in Bagwai and Shanono Local Government Areas of Kano State, where residents were recently attacked by bandits. Sanusi met with victims, families who lost loved ones, and community leaders to offer condolences and support. The visit came amid increasing concerns about the spread of banditry from neighbouring states into Kano.
In recent years, peace deals between local communities and bandit groups have become common in parts of the North-West, especially in Katsina State. These agreements typically involve community representatives, local leaders, and the bandits themselves meeting to negotiate a temporary halt to attacks. In many cases, bandits attend these meetings openly carrying sophisticated weapons, including rifles and machine guns.
Local residents say that while these agreements sometimes bring short-term relief, the peace rarely lasts. In many instances, communities brace themselves for renewed attacks soon after the agreements are made. Residents fear that peace deals may give bandits more confidence and allow them to reorganize, enforce their demands, or even use one community as a safe base to attack others.
Reports also indicate that when a peace deal is reached in one area, neighbouring communities—sometimes in completely different states—begin to worry. This is because bandits often relocate or shift their activities, targeting areas not covered by the agreement. These patterns have created widespread fear along borders shared by Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Jigawa, and Kano States.
Emir Sanusi, speaking during his visit, said communities must be careful when entering peace negotiations with armed groups. He stressed that no peace deal should give bandits the confidence or freedom to cross into neighbouring states to carry out attacks.
“Peace arrangements should not be made in a way that creates a safe corridor for gunmen to attack others,” he said. “While peace may be achieved locally, the broader consequences must be considered. We must avoid agreements that end up pushing bandits into other states or exposing innocent people to danger.”
Sanusi said the safety of northern states depends on cooperation between communities and the government, not on private deals that may weaken collective security.
His warning followed recent bandit attacks in Bagwai and Shanono Local Government Areas, two communities in Kano’s northern region. Although Kano has been relatively safer than some neighbouring states, attacks like these show that bandit groups continue to shift their routes and test new territories.
Residents affected by the attacks told the Emir that the gunmen moved in swiftly, shooting into the air and stealing livestock, money, and other valuables. Some families lost loved ones, while others were injured or displaced. Many said the attackers came from nearby forests that border states with more severe bandit activity.
Kano State authorities have long expressed concern about the possibility of infiltration by criminal groups fleeing from military operations in neighbouring states. Security officials say that although Kano has stronger local vigilante structures and traditionally stable rural communities, the threat of spill-over violence remains high.
During his visit, Sanusi urged residents to remain vigilant, especially in communities close to forests, rivers, and abandoned farmlands where bandits may hide. He encouraged them to report suspicious movements promptly to security agencies.
“We must all be our brothers’ keepers,” he said. “Security agencies cannot be everywhere at the same time. When we notice strange faces, unusual movements, or groups passing through our communities at odd hours, we must quickly inform the authorities.”
Sanusi added that early warnings from community members have helped prevent attacks in the past, and such cooperation must continue.
The Emir also praised the Kano State Government for taking steps to prevent large-scale infiltration by bandits. He noted that the deployment of more security personnel, the strengthening of local vigilance groups, and the monitoring of borders with neighbouring states have helped Kano remain relatively secure despite rising insecurity in the region.
However, they caution that the state must remain alert, particularly as military pressure in neighbouring states pushes criminals to seek new hiding places.
Banditry has become one of Nigeria’s most pressing security challenges, especially in the North-West. What began years ago as clashes between farmers and herders over land and livestock has grown into a full-scale criminal enterprise. Today, many bandit groups are heavily armed and operate like militias, controlling forest areas and carrying out kidnappings, extortion, arson, and cattle rustling.
Efforts to manage the crisis have included military operations, community negotiations, peace deals, and attempts to block access to fuel and food supplies for the criminals. Yet, the problem persists, partly because different states adopt different approaches. When one state cracks down, bandits often flee into another, starting the cycle again.
This is the concern at the heart of Emir Sanusi’s warning—that peace deals in one location should not create instability elsewhere.
Sanusi highlighted that traditional rulers, state governments, and security agencies must work together to ensure that bandits have no safe zone anywhere in the North.
“We must unite to protect our people,” he said.
As the region continues to struggle with rising insecurity, his message serves as a reminder that peace in one community is not enough unless neighbouring communities are also safe.
