Bandit Leader Warns Against Military Force, Calls for Peaceful Resolution

Kachalla Ummaru, a notorious bandit kingpin, has cautioned security agencies against relying solely on military force to tackle insecurity in Nigeria. Speaking at a peace dialogue between armed groups and community leaders in Katsina State, Ummaru warned that killings only fuel further recruitment, and that a more nuanced approach is needed to address the root causes of the problem.

“If today you kill 10 bandits, tomorrow you’ll see 20… you kill 20, another 30 will rise both in our bushes and villages,” Ummaru said, highlighting the futility of military force in resolving the conflict. He argued that the government’s focus on revenue generation has led to neglect of citizens, contributing to the insecurity .

Government and Residents
Ummaru also criticized the government for prioritizing revenue over citizens’ welfare, saying, “The government doesn’t care about anyone, all it’s after is how to generate money.” He further accused residents of Matazu Local Government Area of tipping off security forces, which he claimed only exacerbated the situation .The bandit leader stressed the need for mutual respect in the peace process, urging security agencies to consider the concerns of armed groups. “Let us help one another and live in peace,” he said, emphasizing the importance of genuine commitment to peace from both security agencies and armed groups .

The peace dialogue is part of ongoing efforts to encourage reconciliation amid ongoing violence in Katsina and surrounding states. Recently, 28 abductees were freed in Faskari Local Government Area after negotiations led by local authorities. Stakeholders have urged both security agencies and armed groups to commit to genuine peace for the safety of residents .