KATSINA, Nigeria — During a peace dialogue in northern Nigeria, a man identifying himself as a member of an armed bandit group accused the government of contributing to the insurgency it now seeks to end. The statement, made in Charanchi and Batagarawa Local Government Areas of Katsina State, came as local officials signed a pact with armed men believed responsible for years of violence.
“It was the government that wanted us to engage in banditry,” the man said. “But now it has called us and told us to stop. Therefore, by God’s grace, we have stopped from today.”
The remarks, widely circulated online, have reignited debate over Nigeria’s security strategy, especially in light of the government’s controversial rehabilitation program for surrendered insurgents.
Operation Safe Corridor, launched in 2016, is Nigeria’s official initiative to de-radicalize and reintegrate former Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters. As of early 2025, 789 ex-combatants were undergoing rehabilitation, with over 120,000 insurgents and their families reported to have surrendered since the program began.
While officials tout the program’s success, critics argue it lacks transparency and accountability. A recent report revealed that some surrendered fighters have evaded the program and reinfiltrated communities, raising concerns about public safety and trust.
Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security, Alhaji Nasiru Mu’azu, dismissed the bandits’ claims as “a distortion of facts,” insisting the government has never encouraged criminality. “We have always sought dialogue where possible, and deployed security forces where necessary,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense added, “We remain committed to restoring peace. Rehabilitation is part of a broader strategy to end violence, not excuse it.”
Community reactions remain mixed. “If this peace is real, then maybe we can sleep without fear,” said Fatima Ibrahim, a displaced mother of four. Others, like trader Sani Bello, were skeptical: “They say they’ve stopped, but what happens next month?”
Civil society leaders also weighed in. “Peace cannot be built on staged performances,” said Hauwa Danlami of the Katsina Peace Initiative. Imam Abdulrahman Sani urged justice and transparency: “If the government truly wants peace, it must listen to all sides.”
Aminu Garba, a retired schoolteacher, urged patience. “We have suffered too long. If this is the beginning of peace, let us give it a chance.”
Analysts say the Katsina dialogue and the rehabilitation program reflect Nigeria’s struggle to balance security, reconciliation, and justice. “These groups see themselves not just as criminals, but as political actors,” said Dr. Amina Yusuf of Ahmadu Bello University.
As the region grapples with insecurity, the government’s dual approach—military force and rehabilitation—continues to spark debate over its effectiveness and moral implications.
