A truce between armed groups and local communities has enabled the return of agricultural and other economic activities in Katsina state.

Katsina

A fragile truce between bandit groups and authorities in Katsina state, northern Nigeria, has resulted in improved security and a gradual economic recovery in some areas. Farming communities are beginning to return to their land, and local markets are seeing increased activity as the threat of violence temporarily subsides.

Despite these gains, many communities in Katsina state remain vulnerable, as the peace agreements are not widespread. The state government has refused direct negotiations with armed groups, citing past failures, and the overall situation remains complex. Analysts warn that the crisis has become deeply entrenched, but residents in affected areas continue to hope for lasting peace.

Fragile truce sparks economic recovery in Nigeria’s Katsina state

Deep inside territory controlled by bandits in northern Nigeria, we arrive at our meeting point with bandit leaders. Men and boys, some of them as young as 12, take up positions in the surrounding bushes and on higher ground. The gang leader, Abu Ratne, in his 30s, too shy to face the camera, delegates the responsibility of talking to us to another kingpin. When we're wronged, nobody takes time to hear our side of the story. The security forces and locals will attack, and we respond with even deadlier force. After hundreds of deaths among both civilians and armed gangs, a delicate truce is now holding in Bat Aria area council. Sustained military pressure forced them to negotiate a truce. Unlike other places, there is no thick forest here for them to hide. Here and in neighbouring Jibia council area, the fighters have a bigger motivation, to push for a ceasefire. We make a lot here mining gold. There are a lot of benefits. Farming communities in these areas are beginning to recover. 90% of our community are living in peace, we sleep well. Before, you know, some of us have to leave their houses in the afternoon or in the night, and in the evening time, they have to go to the bush and sleep in the trees. Northern Nigeria has been rocked by banditry for more than 10 years, the past six being the bloodiest. A recent attack claimed the lives of 32 worshippers inside a mosque here in Katina state. The conflict began with clashes between farmers and herders over land and water resources. But a failure by past Nigerian governments allowed it to escalate to full-blown conflict. Many people are into this banditry. It is so localised to the extent that you cannot even establish who is with the bandit and who is not with the bandit. In the first six months of this year alone, more than 2,000 people were killed. Millions of dollars in ransom have been paid. In areas where the peace deal is holding, locals have returned to their farms, looking forward to a bountiful harvest. At Batsari market, business is picking up. The truce has allowed bandits, most of them herders, access to hospitals and markets, facilities they couldn't get to while the killings continued. The truce has led to the resumption of economic and agricultural activities in some parts of Katina state. This market in Batsari is seeing a steady increase in transactions, but many other communities in the state don't have such agreements, which means they still face the risk of attacks and kidnappings. Talks have failed in the past, and the state government is refusing direct talks with what it calls terrorists. We said we were not going to negotiate on the furthering of the truce, and that's why we came all out, because we learned from the experience that we have had during the last administration. The government was begging criminals to come for a truce. Analysts say the crisis has now become so complex that Nigeria may have missed the chance to stop it. But for residents of states ravaged by these criminal gangs, any peace is worth pushing for. Ahmed Idris, Al Jazeera, Batsari.

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