By Other frontline LGAs — Kankara, Faskari, Dutsinma, Sabuwa, Malumfashi, Kurfi, Bakori, Funtua, and Dandume — remain without such deals and continue to experience killings, attacks, and kidnappings.
Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State has entered into a peace agreement with Fulani terrorists, often euphemistically referred to as Fulani herdsmen or armed bandits by Nigerian governments and media, joining Jibia, Batsari, and Danmusa LGAs in similar accords aimed at restoring peace to their communities.
Before this development, only the three LGAs had such arrangements, enabling farmers to work without fear while the terrorists moved freely to markets, hospitals, and shops in towns and villages. Other frontline LGAs—including Kankara, Faskari, Dutsinma, Sabuwa, Malumfashi, Kurfi, Bakori, Funtua, and Dandume—remain without such deals and continue to experience killings, attacks, and kidnappings.
The Safana peace talks took place at the fringes of Gemi Forest in Runka town, with LGA Chairman Abdullahi Sani Safana, Yariman Katsina and Head of Safana Alhaji Sada Rufa’i, and District Head of Zakkah Alhaji Sani Muhammed Zakka leading the delegation. Many community members and terrorists attended.
A civil rights movement protests the ongoing bloody clashes between herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria’s vast central region on March 14, 2018.
Both sides agreed to reconcile differences, build trust, and maintain peace. Alhaji Sada Rufa’i expressed happiness at the reconciliation, urging terrorist leaders to “fear God, live peacefully, and honour the truce.” According to Daily Trust, speaking for the terrorists, Kachalla Ruga Alhaji Usman said, “As we have decided to hold this peace agreement, let us live peacefully. Farmers, herders, and everyone should go to their farms and work peacefully. All should be allowed to move and work freely.”
The LGA chairman pledged to protect the dignity of all parties, assess schools and hospitals serving Fulani terrorists for repairs, and ensure free access to markets, hospitals, and basic amenities.
The agreement, which contains 20 terms, requires the terrorists to cease all criminal activities and allow unhindered access to farmlands. Farmers and residents must also not “harass herders” when they visit towns.
Similar accords in Jibia, Batsari, and Danmusa have included the unconditional release of captives and arms surrender. In Danmusa, terrorists handed over weapons and freed 16 kidnapped victims, including a pregnant woman.
The Katsina State government maintains it does not negotiate with terrorists, stating such peace deals are community-led.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu, said, “The government will not negotiate with terrorists, but if they choose to drop their arms and come forward, we will give them the opportunity to live as normal citizens.”
Men walk beside a truck carrying the coffins of people killed by Fulani terrorists in Makurdi, Nigeria.
“If they renege on their promises, we will deal with them as we have always done. That remains the government’s position,” he added.
