According to a report by Trust TV, on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the convener of the Katsina Security Community Initiative, Dr Bashir Kurfi, shared deep insights regarding the controversial amnesty programme in Katsina State during a sit-down with Hauwa Kiyawa and Maimuna Bagudu. The discussion primarily examined the consequences of local peace agreements and how they are currently affecting the safety of residents.
Dr Kurfi expressed significant alarm over the strategy adopted by the government, arguing that the current peace framework has inadvertently endangered the public. Highlighting a major distinction between regional conflicts, he noted that “The Niger Delta militancy is completely different; those militants did not attack common people, unlike our own bandits,” he said.
He elaborated that while militants in the South-South focused their agitation on oil infrastructure to seek regional improvements, the bandits operating in Katsina specifically target the populace by raiding residences, educational institutions, and rural settlements.
The security expert also pointed out the psychological toll on communities where former criminals have been allowed to return home.
He noted that many villagers now live in constant anxiety because individuals previously involved in violent crimes like homicide and abduction are walking free in their neighbourhoods.
To illustrate this terror, Dr Kurfi recounted a harrowing incident involving a mother and her twins who were kidnapped; even after their family paid the requested ransom, the captors continued to harass and threaten them.
Furthermore, the analyst questioned the administration’s decision to circumvent the judiciary. He observed that many of these individuals had already been processed through the legal system and were facing court charges, yet the government is now facilitating their discharge without following established legal protocols. Dr Kurfi warned that such a disorganised approach undermines the rule of law and offers a dangerous incentive for future criminal activity.
He concluded by stating that the current peace deal might actually trigger an increase in violence if it is not handled with greater care. With many schools still shuttered due to safety concerns, he insisted that the protection of the people must be prioritised over any political arrangements.
The dialogue underscored the urgent need for a transparent review of the Katsina amnesty plan to ensure that victims receive justice and that criminals are not simply emboldened by a lack of accountability.
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