A notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Ummaru, has cautioned Nigerian security agencies against relying solely on military force to tackle insecurity, insisting that such an approach fuels the crisis rather than resolving it.
Ummaru made the remarks on Saturday during peace talks between bandit groups and community leaders in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State. The comments were shared in a video clip published by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency platform focused on the Lake Chad region.
He warned that killings of bandits by the military only lead to more recruits. “If today you kill 10 bandits, tomorrow you’ll see 20. You kill 20, another 30 will rise both in our bushes and villages,” Ummaru declared.
He also accused government authorities of neglecting citizens’ welfare, alleging that policies are driven by revenue generation rather than security or community well-being. “If the government cared about the people, all these things won’t be happening,” he said.
The bandit leader further urged security agencies and community stakeholders to honor peace agreements. Addressing the Divisional Police Officer of Danmusa LGA, he stressed that if bandits are apprehended or accused of abduction, resolutions should involve dialogue and mediation.
