A peace dialogue organized for communities in Batagarawa and Charanchi Local Government Areas of Katsina State has sparked controversy following claims that some of the alleged bandits at the event were actually hired locals.
According to reports shared by Katsina Times and a witness account published by security analyst @DanKatsina50 on X handle, many of the gunmen at the gathering allegedly confessed that they were not bandits but were recruited to make the event appear crowded.
“They hired us to come here. Some of us are not bandits. They gave us weapons and told us to attend,” some of the attendees said.
The peace meeting, convened by officials from Batagarawa and Charanchi local governments, was attended by the chief executive of Batagarawa local government, traditional leaders and representatives of various communities.
Bakatsine added that this would call into question the credibility of the talks and asked: “Where were the real commanders of the bandits apart from Sani Muhudinge? Why were only unknown youths present?”
He further expressed hope that the Katsina State Government, led by Governor Dikko Umar Radda, would see the need to prevent local government chairmen from organizing or participating in such unproductive meetings in the future.