Nigeria @65: Struggling For Peace With Peace Talks
Busy Brain writes from FCT Abuja
The popular novelist, Professor Chinua Achebe of blessed memory wrote his book, Things Fall Apart, in the year 1958. During the time, the late professor pictured many things that were pervasive in the country. I was not a witness, but I could perceive the zephyr and the debris of Nigeria’s landscape. During the era, the problem was not insecurity; people slept with their two eyes closed, and travelers embarked on long journeys without phobia. The only thing that fell apart was the laudable voice of colonialists and secessionists fanning embers of discord. To date, the popular novel is still a point of reference. Achebe never made a mistake with his book, though the title is more relevant. Things have fallen into pieces.
Today, Nigeria is at 65, but the country seems to struggle for peace. If peace exists, there will be no need for peace talks. Now, it seems the center cannot hold; the falcons cannot hear the falconers. We are in the era of bandits; they kill, maim, and blatantly robe in sophisticated ammunition to attend peace meetings.
Recently, the communities in Faskari Local Government Area, one of the most attacked councils in Katsina State, opened a peace talk with the bandits. At short intervals, the government officials and traditional leaders in the same Katsina State held another round of peace talks with bandits in the Matazu Local Government area of the state.
Also in Zamfara State, the notorious bandit, Bello Turji confirmed that negotiations are underway to end violence and insecurity across Zamfara and other parts of the Northwest region. It is good news, but it is coming from the bandit leader, who can renege on his decision. Instead of the government, bandits assure citizens of safety.
Sadly, the so-called peace talk held in Katsina was graced by bloodthirsty bandit leaders who have been on the wanted list. The A-list bandit kingpins at the peace meeting included Hassan Dan Tawawe, Ado Alero, Isiya Kwashe Garwa, and Babaro who was accused of killing 32 worshipers in a mosque attack in Katsina.
The message in the whole peace talk was obvious: the bandits neither wanted peace nor interested in surrendering. They only came for a showoff to display their sophisticated weapons before the camera. The opulent display of firearms before the public in military camo is a direct message staring at us. The bandits on the wanted list have turned into celebrities, granting interviews and issuing warnings to the government. Simply put, the meeting was a show of force, not for peace.
If the league of bandits terrorizing the country are now walking freely with their weapons, who will stop the next bandits among the younger generation who witnessed the shameless peace talk when the supposed scapegoats have turned into accidental celebrities? Definitely, the younger ones at the peace meeting will see the killers as mentors and role models, having it in mind that no punishment or penance will come forth for the series of attacks, incendiary acts, and carnage launched by the senior bandits; instead, they are being rehabilitated as repentant killers. Sad!
As published in Sahara Reporters, the Katsina State Government confirmed that bandits have demanded the construction of schools, hospitals, and grazing reserves as part of the ongoing peace efforts in the state. Of course, all citizens deserve a dividend of democracy. Next, the bandits will demand a zoning governorship ticket to their territory as a condition for peace. Where is the way out?
Somberly, the International Organization for Migration estimates that more than 1.3 million people have been uprooted across the Northwest since February 2025. We are in September, and the death toll counts in millions. What would be the figure by December? Only God knows!
On different occasions, analysts have cautioned that similar peace efforts in Katsina and Zamfara between 2019 and 2021 collapsed after armed groups regrouped and expanded their reach. Many residents, according to reports, said they continue to pay taxes and levies to bandits despite the claims of peace. Then I ask, what have we achieved with the peace talk? If none except the short hiatus, then it is not the solution.
As Nigeria forges ahead, the onus still lies on the government to deploy a new strategy and instensify efforts. The insecurity is already spreading faster than expected. Kwara State, the state of harmony, is currently bleeding. It is time to act fast, act differently, and act together before the next generation of bandits surfaces because they have watched their mentors being romanced for peace talks. May God heal our land and restore peace in our communities. Happy independence!
Busy Brain is an award winning writer, columnist, journalist, poet, media critic, public relations specialist. His works have been featured in Nigerian Tribune, The Nation, Thisday, National pilot, Punch, Vanguard, Osun defender, Standardtimes News express, gazette and numerous online platforms. He is an author on Nairland, Operanews, he has equally featured on TNT 102.5 and Okin FM 105.7 as a guest journalist. He is the publisher of Salient Reporters, online news platform
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