A notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Ummaru, has warned that government military operations targeting bandits could exacerbate insecurity, asserting that any attempt to kill 10 bandits would lead to 20 more emerging in retaliation, while killing 30 could trigger further unrest in cities and villages.
Ummaru made the remarks on Saturday during a peace dialogue between bandit groups and community leaders in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
He urged security operatives to exercise restraint, emphasizing that the dialogue process would only succeed if all parties approached it in good faith.
The meeting, convened to foster peace and reconciliation, comes amid renewed efforts by stakeholders to curb banditry across Katsina and neighbouring states.
Community elders attending the dialogue also called on both bandit groups and security agencies to commit to genuine peace to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.
