Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
A lecturer at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, Dr. Bashir Usman Ruwan Godiya, has accused the Katsina State Government of adopting what he described as a “double-faced” approach in its handling of banditry and peace negotiations with armed groups operating across parts of the state.
Dr. Ruwan Godiya made the remarks during a televised discussion on Channels Television focused on the growing debate over dialogue with bandits and other non-state armed actors in Nigeria’s North-West. His comments come amid sustained insecurity in Katsina State, where repeated attacks, mass abductions and displacement have continued to affect rural communities despite ongoing military operations and official denials of negotiations with bandit leaders.
Challenging the state government’s position, the academic questioned the credibility of repeated public denials that Katsina authorities are engaged in peace talks with armed groups. He argued that reports indicating the involvement of some local government chairmen in dialogue initiatives contradict the official narrative being presented to the public. According to him, such participation suggests that the state government cannot plausibly distance itself from the negotiation process, regardless of public statements to the contrary.
Dr. Ruwan Godiya described the situation as confusing and contradictory, stressing that the government’s posture raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability. He maintained that if local government officials are indeed participating in talks with bandits, it implies institutional involvement at the state level, whether formally acknowledged or not. In his view, denying such engagement while allowing indirect participation creates mistrust and weakens public confidence in the state’s security strategy.
Beyond the question of negotiations, the lecturer also criticised what he sees as a troubling silence around the scale of human and material losses suffered by communities affected by banditry. He observed that public discourse has increasingly focused on the mechanics of dialogue and ceasefires, while the experiences of victims — including those killed, abducted, displaced or stripped of their livelihoods — receive comparatively little attention.
According to Dr. Ruwan Godiya, this shift in focus risks marginalising affected communities and normalising the violence they endure. He argued that any discussion about negotiations or peace initiatives must be anchored on a clear acknowledgement of the damage already done, alongside concrete plans for justice, restitution and long-term security. Without this, he warned, dialogue risks appearing insensitive to victims and could further erode trust between citizens and the government.
Katsina State has been one of the epicentres of bandit violence in the North-West, alongside Zamfara, Sokoto and parts of Kaduna. Over the years, attacks on villages, highways and farmlands have disrupted economic activity and forced thousands of residents to flee their homes. While authorities have periodically announced military successes against armed groups, violence has persisted, fuelling speculation about behind-the-scenes negotiations and informal arrangements aimed at reducing attacks.
The Katsina State Government has consistently maintained that it does not negotiate with bandits, emphasising instead its support for federal security operations and community-based security initiatives. However, reports of meetings between local officials, traditional leaders and armed groups in some areas have continued to surface, keeping the debate alive.
Dr. Ruwan Godiya’s comments add to a growing chorus of voices calling for greater openness about how insecurity is being managed in the region. Analysts say the controversy underscores the delicate balance governments face between pursuing peace through dialogue and maintaining a firm public stance against criminality.
As discussions around negotiations with armed groups continue nationwide, his intervention highlights broader questions about governance, communication and the place of victims in security policymaking. For many residents of Katsina State, clarity on these issues remains central to restoring trust and achieving lasting peace.
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