The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Katsina State has called for the review of existing peace deals between bandits and local authorities as attacks in communities intensify in the state.
The coalition called on local government chairmen in the state to thoroughly reassess the existing peace deals to prevent further breakdown.
In recent weeks, 21st CENTURY CHRONICLE reported cases of bandits’ attacks that led to the death and abduction of several people in local government areas where peace deals were signed.
Some of the areas witnessing spike in number of attacks in recent weeks include Jibia, Kankara, Musawa, Dandume, Malumfashi, Bakori among others.
In a statement signed by the coalition’s spokesman, Dahiru Gambo Rafin Dadi, the coalition expressed concerns over the renewed wave of insecurity in the state.
“We strongly and unequivocally condemn the recent brutal attacks on the communities of Farun Bala, Dandume, and Jikamshi, where armed bandits unleashed senseless violence, resulting in the tragic loss of many innocent lives and leaving several others injured,” Dahiru said in the statement.
The coalition said the resurgence of attacks in some of the areas meant the peace deals are not sustainable.
“The resurgence of violence is alarming and raises serious concerns about the sustainability of these efforts, particularly at a critical time when communities are preparing for the wet farming season, a period vital to livelihoods and food security,” the statement added.
The coalition called on the three tiers of government to work collaboratively to confront the banditry crisis in the state.
“We call on all tiers of government to work collaboratively and decisively to confront this crisis before it escalates beyond control,”
the statement said.
