Peace Meeting: Nigeria Has Submitted to Bandits — Human Rights Lawyer

Human rights lawyer Bulama Bukarti has warned that recent peace talks between communities in Katsina State and armed bandit groups are effectively giving criminals a platform to intimidate the public.

The gatherings, held in Jibia and Batsari local government areas, reportedly featured heavily armed bandits openly displaying weapons. Videos and photographs circulating from the events show gunmen tying dangerous arms to their bodies, giving speeches, and allowing themselves to be filmed in full view of residents.

Speaking to Daily Post, Bukarti described the scenes as deliberate acts of terror. “Bandits are coming out with heavy and dangerous weapons during peace talks, tying them to their bodies, giving speeches, and allowing themselves to be recorded on video. They do this deliberately to frighten people. That is exactly what terrorism is — creating fear to achieve political, religious, or ethnic goals,” he said.

He compared the displays to military parades in other countries. “When you see them stepping out with heavy weapons as if they are going to a world war, it is a calculated attempt to scare the public and send a message to the Nigerian government that nothing can be done to them,” Bukarti added.

Bukarti also noted that both the possession of such weapons and the informal peace meetings violate Nigerian law. “This is completely forbidden. No one is allowed to own such weapons, let alone display them. Even these peace dialogues with terrorists are unlawful because there is no legal framework that allows it,” he said.

While Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has cautioned security agencies against disrupting the meetings, Bukarti insists the gatherings are a form of surrender to criminals.

“The public and the government must understand that these meetings are not peace. They are submission. And the more terrorists are allowed to show off their weapons, the weaker the state looks in the eyes of citizens,” he stressed.

He urged the government to take a leading role, ensuring criminals are disarmed and rehabilitated. “Leaving citizens to negotiate on their own only strengthens the bandits,” Bukarti concluded.