The Citizens for Equity and Justice Initiative (CEJI) has condemned the governors of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, and Katsina State, Dikko Radda, for holding peace negotiations with Ado Aleru, a wanted bandit leader linked to mass massacres, kidnappings, and displacement in Nigeria’s northwest.
Traditional rulers, local government officials, senior military officers, and top government leaders from both states attended the peace summit held last Saturday in the Bichi town in Katsina State’s Danmusa LGA.
Aleru, who has a ₦5 million bounty on his head, addressed the assembly and advocated for peace between Fulani herders and farmers. The meeting has sparked national uproar, as Aleru is still a declared fugitive accused of crimes against humanity.
In a statement released on Friday, CEJI president Abdulmumin Sarki branded the governors’ actions as a “moral collapse of governance” and a serious breach of public confidence.
“These are the same governors who formerly opposed peace talks with bandit leaders while campaigning. “Now that they are in power, they are normalizing criminals as part of governance, despite the fact that thousands of citizens have been victims of the violence unleashed by these men,” Sarki said.
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CEJI stressed that open negotiations with armed and unrepentant terrorists undermines the rule of law, empowers violent actors, and sends the incorrect message to victims of insecurity.
The organization highlighted an Amnesty International study from 2023, which detailed over 10,000 deaths and massive relocation in the northwest as a result of banditry and communal strife.
Sarki urged the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to look into how a fugitive like Aleru could return and publicly engage with state authorities.
“It is unacceptable that a man declared wanted since 2020 was able to move freely, meet with officials, and issue public statements without fear of arrest,” according to Sarki.
The CEJI encouraged the National Human Rights Commission and foreign entities to review the conference, stressing that such unaccountable negotiations violate Nigeria’s international legal commitments.
“We strongly condemn the alleged peace meeting and encourage security officials to investigate this provocative gathering. “The Nigerian government cannot claim to be fighting insecurity while its leaders are legitimizing known criminals,” the statement ended.
