Ado Aleru, a well-known bandit commander, has delivered a terrifying warning, stating that as long as society views his gang as terrorists, they will continue to carry out violent acts.
Counter-insurgency specialist Zagazola Makama disclosed this in a post, stating that Aleru made the contentious remark at a peace talks session in Katsina State’s Danmusa Local Government Area.
The bandit leader, speaking on behalf of his gang, attributed the persistent violence to the region’s pastoralist communities’ years of marginalisation, neglect, and structural injustice.
“If we are still being called terrorists, then do not expect us to stop behaving like terrorists,” Aleru was quoted as saying.
He maintained that attempts at peacemaking and reconciliation had been made more difficult by disparaging labels.
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He said that a large number of young men engaged in banditry were not naturally violent but had been forced into armed warfare by uncontrollable conditions.
“Our parents are not happy with what we are doing, and even we do not truly want this life in our hearts. We would prefer a return to the way things were, where there was mutual respect between farmers and herders, and security personnel stuck to their duties without bias,” he said.
In order to address the long-running security situation in the North-West, local authorities and security services are coordinating continuous peace-building initiatives, which include the dialogue in Danmusa.
