A notorious bandit leader, Ado Aleru, has issued a chilling warning, declaring that his group will continue its violent attacks as long as society continues to label them terrorists.
Counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, who reported that Aleru made the controversial statement during a peace dialogue session held in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State, revealed this in a post.
The bandit leader, who was speaking on behalf of his group, said the roots of the ongoing violence were years of neglect, marginalisation, and systemic injustice faced by pastoralist communities in the region.
“If we are still being called terrorists, then do not expect us to stop behaving like terrorists,” Aleru was quoted as saying.
The bandit leader argued that derogatory labels have further complicated efforts toward reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.
He stressed that many young men involved in banditry were not inherently violent but had been pushed into armed conflict by circumstances beyond their control.
“Our parents are not happy with what we are doing, and even we do not truly want this life in our hearts. We would prefer a return to the way things were, where there was mutual respect between farmers and herders, and security personnel stuck to their duties without bias,” he said.
The dialogue in Danmusa is part of ongoing peace-building efforts coordinated by local authorities and security agencies to address the protracted security crisis in the North-West.
