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Katsina peace talks with bandits collapse as kingpin turns rogue, imposes multi-million naira levy on Doma community
Katsina peace talks with bandits collapse as kingpin turns rogue, imposes multi-million naira levy on Doma community
By: Zagazola Makama
Efforts at negotiating peace with armed bandit groups in Faskari LGA, Katsina State, have come under renewed scrutiny following a deadly attack by a notorious bandit leader who has imposed a multi-million naira levy on residents of Doma.
The incident point to the risks of engaging in dialogue with criminal elements without prior disarmament.
Local sources told Zagazola that Isiya Kwashen Garwa, a bandit reportedly involved in ongoing negotiations with the Katsina State Government, led a violent raid on Doma, killing more than 20 residents.
Shortly after the attack, the bandit leader demanded payment of a multi-million naira levy under threat of further violence, sending waves of panic through the community.
Residents have begun fleeing their homes, relocating to nearby villages for safety, citing fear of reprisal attacks. “People are leaving the town because they believe the bandits may return if the levy is not paid,” one local source said. Many villagers, already impoverished by repeated attacks, destruction of property, and cattle rustling, said they cannot meet the exorbitant demands.
The attack raises questions about the role of local government officials in the fragile peace process. A viral video circulating on social media showed the Faskari LGA Chairman and the local councillor condemning army troops after they responded to a bandit attack while peace talks were ongoing.
The local government officials have frequently attend bandits naming ceremonies, often bringing bandit leaders closer to villagers, effectively blurring the line between dialogue and complicity.
Security analysts warned that negotiations without enforceable disarmament or credible security measures are inherently temporary. Zagazola Makama had earlier cautioned that bandits involved in such talks could easily turn against communities at any time, a prediction that appears to have materialized in Doma.
On the federal level, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, reiterated that state governments negotiating with bandits are “on their own” and that the Nigerian Armed Forces do not support such programs due to the fact that the bandits often return to their crimes after many occasions.
The imposition of illegal levies has become a common extortion tactic in North-West Nigeria, and the Doma incident illustrated the precariousness of communities caught between armed groups and ineffective local governance.
Security agencies continue operations targeting bandit enclaves in Katsina and neighbouring states, but residents have called for increased protection to enable displaced families to return safely and resume normal economic activities.
This episode may mark a turning point in Katsina’s approach to banditry, signaling that dialogue without enforcement, disarmament, and close coordination with national security forces could have deadly consequences for local populations.
Katsina peace talks with bandits collapse as kingpin turns rogue, imposes multi-million naira levy on Doma community
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 212 Battalion deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Tuba have arrested three suspected cattle rustlers during an operation in Karnuwa general area of Borno State.
Security sources said the operation followed intelligence provided by a local resident, Malam Muhammadu Ardo, concerning alleged cattle rustling activities within the area.
The troops reportedly mobilised to Karnuwa at about 12:30 p.m. on May 4, 2026, where they apprehended the suspects identified as Mallam Mohammad Abatcha, 28; Mallam Mamman Bukar, 18; and Malam Modu Hassan, 30.
According to the sources, the suspects were intercepted while using a pickup vehicle with registration number WW 806 GZ Delta, allegedly employed in transporting stolen cattle.
The rustled cattle were recovered and immediately handed over to their rightful owners at the scene of the arrest.
Items recovered from the suspects included a bow and arrow, three mobile phones, five national identity cards and the sum of N20,650.
Preliminary investigation reportedly revealed that the suspects admitted to repeatedly stealing and selling rustled cattle to buyers in Maiduguri.
Security sources further disclosed that investigators suspect possible links between the suspects and members of the Islamic State West Africa Province or Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad due to alleged inconsistencies observed in their statements during interrogation.
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
Troops Discover Illegal Refinery Site, Recover 600 Litres of Stolen Crude in Rivers
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 29 Battalion operating under the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), have uncovered an illegal refining site and recovered about 600 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Security sources said the discovery was made at about 10:00 a.m. on May 12, 2026, during ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations in the Niger Delta region.
The troops reportedly discovered the illegal refining site around Asa community, where a large cooking pot loaded with stolen crude oil was found stockpiled in sacks.
Military authorities said the recovered products and equipment were handled in accordance with operational directives guiding anti-crude oil theft operations under Operation Delta Safe.
The operation was conducted without any confrontation or security incident.
The Nigerian military has continued to intensify operations against crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage across the Niger Delta region.
Troops Discover Illegal Refinery Site, Recover 600 Litres of Stolen Crude in Rivers
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Malumfashi at Kafur, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, have raided a suspected drug peddlers’ hideout in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 12:30 p.m. on May 12, 2026, at Huguma village following intelligence on illicit drug activities within the area.
During the raid, troops apprehended one suspect identified as a major supplier of illicit drugs and other substances to terrorists and criminal elements operating within Kafur Local Government Area and surrounding communities.
Items recovered during the operation included 146 grams of suspected cannabis and 16.5 grams of a substance identified as Exol-5.
The suspect and the recovered drugs have since been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and necessary legal action.
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
Troops Neutralise Two Terrorists in Night Ambush Operation in Borno
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
Troops Intercept Vehicle Conveying Illegal Diesel in Bayelsa
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