Kankia local government authorities in Katsina State have entered into a new peace agreement with terrorists operating in the area, amid a surge in attacks and kidnappings across the state.
The deal, concluded on Saturday, involves specific groups of bandits who continue to carry out abductions and raids in neighboring local governments where previous agreements have failed.
The peace pact has sparked controversy, with residents reporting that bandits have imposed a ₦20million levy on farmers in Gatakawa, a community in Kankara Local Government Area, before allowing them to harvest their crops.
Families are selling belongings or borrowing money to pay the levies, exacerbating economic hardship.
Security analyst Bakatsine criticized the peace agreements, stating they’re largely ineffective and leave communities vulnerable.
The state government maintains a formal distance from the deals, leaving communities caught between insecurity and controversial peace initiatives.
The situation highlights the challenges in addressing terrorism and banditry in Nigeria, with local leaders appealing for state and federal authorities to take action and protect communities from repeated extortion.
