Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
In what residents described as a remarkable symbol of changing times, repentant bandits and former armed group members emerged from the forests on Saturday, August 29, 2026, to join thousands of people at the coronation ceremony of the new Sarkin Ruma of Katsina and District Head of Batsari, Alhaji Sani Tukur. Their appearance at the colourful traditional ceremony in Batsari Local Government Area was one of the major highlights of the event, coming against the backdrop of years of insecurity that had forced many communities in the area to live under the shadow of armed violence.
The former fighters did not come as combatants. They arrived to celebrate, offer their support to the new traditional ruler and publicly reaffirm their commitment to peace. The ceremony featured a grand traditional horse-riding procession and cultural activities, drawing traditional rulers, community leaders, government representatives, relatives, friends and well-wishers from within and outside Katsina State. One of the repentant bandits, who identified himself as Tukur, expressed happiness over what he described as a new spirit of cooperation and unity between communities and people who had previously been associated with armed groups. He congratulated the new Sarkin Ruma and described Batsari as one of the most peaceful local government areas in Katsina State.
Another former bandit, Bala Musa, who was described as notorious in the past, also attended the ceremony and expressed satisfaction with the prevailing peace. He said the fact that former bandits could leave the forest and freely attend a traditional ceremony in Batsari demonstrated the extent of progress made in restoring peace and confidence in the area. "We are satisfied with the peace in Batsari and we have no fear. We wish the new traditional ruler well and pray that Allah continues to guide him to lead us with truth and justice," Bala Musa said.
Beyond their physical presence, the repentant bandists made a symbolic contribution to the celebration, presenting cattle, fura and large quantities of nono (fermented milk) in honour of the new traditional ruler. Dr Sada Salisu Ruma (Danwaire), who gave a brief history of the Ruma traditional institution, said the ceremony had demonstrated an emerging spirit of unity and reconciliation in Batsari. He noted that the gesture by the former bandits demonstrated their willingness to identify with the community and support efforts aimed at sustaining peace.
Mamman Mannir Murtala, chairman of the Batsari Local Government Reconciliation and Peace Committee, described the participation of the repentant bandits as a significant milestone in the community's peace-building journey. According to him, truth, trust and confidence among communities remain at the heart of the peace being witnessed in Batsari. "The secret we are proud of is building trust and confidence among ourselves," Murtala said. The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Fulani Association, Hamisu Haruna, described the gathering as a historic occasion, saying the community had never witnessed such a development before. Brigadier General Sagir Musa, who also attended the ceremony, commended the organisation of the event and expressed his best wishes to the new traditional ruler and the people of Batsari.
The development comes amid ongoing local reconciliation efforts in Batsari, where the Katsina State Government has implemented a community-driven approach to peacebuilding that empowers residents to initiate and negotiate peace pacts with repentant bandits willing to surrender their arms. The participation of the former bandits at the coronation is being seen as a significant indication of the progress made towards peace in the area. Batsari Local Government Area has reportedly recorded months of uninterrupted peace under the "Katsina Model" of community-driven dialogue.
In his remarks, the newly installed Sarkin Ruma and District Head of Batsari, Alhaji Sani Tukur, expressed gratitude to the Katsina Emirate and the government for his appointment. The coronation of the new district head follows the death of his predecessor, Alhaji Tukur Mu'azu, who had previously spoken out about the challenges of banditry in the area. The peaceful atmosphere of the ceremony, marked by the presence of former armed group members who had come out of the forest to celebrate, has raised hopes that the tide of insecurity in Batsari may finally be turning.
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