‘If You Kill 10 Of Us, 20 Will Emerge’ — Bandit Leader Warns Security Forces

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

A notorious bandit kingpin, Kachalla Ummaru, has warned that violent crackdowns on armed groups will only escalate insecurity in Katsina State and beyond.

Ummaru made the remarks on Saturday during peace talks between bandit groups and community leaders in Matazu Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina.

In a video clip shared by counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, Ummaru argued that the government’s reliance on military operations was counterproductive.

“If today you kill 10 bandits, tomorrow you’ll see 20. You kill 20, another 30 will rise, both in our bushes and villages,” he said.

He further accused government authorities of neglecting citizens, alleging that leaders are more interested in revenue generation than protecting lives.

Ummaru insisted that detained bandits should be released through the intervention of community stakeholders. He also criticised residents for allegedly providing information to security operatives, claiming that such actions undermine peace efforts.

Speaking directly to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Danmusa LGA, he called for mutual respect in implementing peace agreements.

“If you want these peace talks to yield anything tangible, then every favour we seek should be considered and done for us. Anything you request from us, we ensure it is done. It would be shameful if you come to us for something and we don’t do it, and the same goes for you,” Ummaru said.

The dialogue, convened to foster reconciliation in Katsina, comes amid renewed efforts by stakeholders to end banditry across north-western Nigeria. Community elders present urged both the bandits and security agencies to commit to genuine peace for the safety of residents.

Last Wednesday, bandits released 28 abductees in Faskari LGA of Katsina as part of ongoing peace deals brokered by local authorities.

The development underscores the complexity of tackling armed groups in the region, with critics questioning the sustainability of negotiating with bandit leaders who openly challenge state authority.