A suspected bandit boss has publicly acknowledged that although his group’s members lack formal education, they are proficient with firearms, especially AK-47 rifles.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama released a video of the armed leader speaking to a crowd in Katsina State’s Dutsenma Local Government Area on X on Monday.
In the video, the bandit leader, surrounded by his supporters and brandishing a firearm, spoke with assurance while the crowd applauded him.
“Even though we are uneducated and did not attend school, we are able to operate an AK-47,” he stated.
“While you gather books on your shelves, we have gathered AK-47 rifles and the weapons are our education,” he continued, drawing a comparison between his organization and educated people. He hoisted his weapon in front of the audience, who cheered loudly.
The kingpin further charged that officials had broken agreements made during earlier attempts at negotiation.
“We make an effort to keep our word to you. We want you to follow suit. One of our main worries is this,” he stated.
He said that despite negotiations, several of his members are still being held in various states, including Katsina, Kano, and Abuja, and that they have not been released.
“A state cannot exist without its citizens incarcerated. He continued, “Many of our men and women have been detained, but nothing occurs when we seek for their release.
The bandit leader also said that government officials frequently meet with them to discuss issues but don’t follow through on agreements.
He made the audience chuckle by saying, “Your leaders come to meet us and we agree on certain issues, but once they leave, they go back and sit comfortably in air conditions without fulfilling those promises.”
If such behavior persisted, he threatened, his group might stop participating in discussions.
“If we are not asked back for talks, everyone you see here might vanish into the jungle for months. He said, “You might only find small children left behind.”
The kingpin stated that they are amenable to further negotiations in spite of the threat, provided that prior agreements are upheld.
“Even if you call us to Katsina, we will come if you free our people. We don’t mind going anyplace, but we worry about promises that aren’t kept,” he stated.
