Bandit Leader Who Allegedly Killed 34 Worshippers Spotted At Peace Meeting In Katsina

A photo has emerged showing Babaro, a notorious bandit leader accused of masterminding deadly attacks in Katsina, attending a peace dialogue in Faskari Local Government Area on Sunday.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama, who shared the image on X, said Babaro has been linked to multiple raids across Kankara and Malumfashi. He is alleged to have led the recent massacre of worshippers in Mantau, Malumfashi LGA, where 32 people were killed and several others injured during evening prayers.

Confirming the development, another security analyst, Bakatsine, disclosed that the Faskari meeting produced a peace deal between residents and bandits. The terms reportedly include unarmed entry into towns by the bandits, freedom to farm and graze without fear of attack, mutual forgiveness, and the release of captives without ransom.

“Peace deal in Faskari LGA, Katsina State as residents and bandits agree on unarmed entry into town by bandits, safe farming/grazing, mutual forgiveness, captives freed without ransom. Notorious figures like Ado Aleru, Babaro and Kwashen-garwa attended,” Bakatsine posted.

Peace dialogues of this nature have become a recurring approach in Katsina and other states in Nigeria’s troubled northwest, where years of banditry and farmer-herder clashes have claimed thousands of lives and displaced countless families.

Supporters of such negotiations see dialogue as a pragmatic step toward ending cycles of bloodshed. But critics argue that inviting notorious actors to the table without accountability legitimises violence, entrenches impunity, and erodes public trust.

As at press time, government authorities had yet to issue a formal statement on Babaro’s participation in the meeting.