A human rights lawyer, Bulama Bukarti, has warned that peace talks between communities in Katsina State and armed bandit groups are giving criminals a free hand to display power and spread fear.
Recently, two local government areas in Katsina — Jibia and Batsari — held meetings with bandits who were seen carrying dangerous weapons in public glare.
Videos and pictures from the events showed that the gunmen were heavily armed during the peace talk.
Bukarti said the scenes were nothing short of intimidation.
According to the activist, “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.
“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,” said Bukarti.
The lawyer said that both the possession of such weapons and the so-called peace meetings are not legal under 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
