Bandit leader to security operatives: If you kill 10 of us, 20 will emerge

Kachalla Ummaru, a “notorious bandit kingpin”, has warnedlaw enforcement against a kinetic approach to tackling insecurity. Ummaru spoke on Saturday, during peace talks between banditgroups and community leaders, in Matazu LGA of Katsina. Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused onthe Lake Chad region, shared a clip of Ummaru saying killing bandits only makesmatters worse. “If today you kill 10 bandits, tomorrow you’ll see 20... youkill 20, another 30 will rise both in our bushes and villages,” he said. “Truth be told, the government doesn’t care about anyone,all it’s after is how to generate money. If the government cared about thepeople, all these things won’t be happening. “If our boys mistakenly abduct anyone or if securityoperatives apprehend one of ours, stakeholders should be involved and see thatthe person taken is released. “Let’s tell ourselves the truth — if we know these talkswon’t foster any peace between us, then it would be best if things remain theway they are. “You people (residents of Matazu LGA) are also part of theproblem because you are fond of complaining to security operatives and givingthem information, and even when they come to where we are, they don’t kill evena bird, but you’ll hear in the news that 10 bandits have been killed andthey’ll be paid. “If these security operatives won’t be told to leave usalone then I don’t think these peace talks have any importance.” Speaking to the divisional police officer (DPO) of DanmusaLGA, Ummaru harped on respecting terms of agreement. “To you the DPO of Danmusa LGA, if you want these our peacetalks to yield anything tangible, then every favour we seek should beconsidered and done for us and from your end,” he added. “Anything you request from us (bandits) we see to it that itis done. This is just the truth of the matter. “It would be shameful if you come to us for something and wedon’t do it for you and the same thing goes for you... it would be shameful if wecome to you for something and you don’t do it for us. “Let us help one another and live in peace and I pray allthat we have discussed is something that will be of benefit to us all.” The meeting was convened to foster peace and reconciliationin the state.It follows renewed efforts by stakeholders to end banditryin Katsina and neighbouring states. Community elders at the dialogue urged the bandits andsecurity agencies to commit to genuine peace for the safety of residents. On Wednesday, the bandits released 28 abductees in FaskariLGA of Katsina following a peace deal. The action was part of reconciliation efforts spearheaded bylocal authorities to reduce violent attacks in the area.

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