Sokoto Government Opens Dialogue with Repentant Bandits to Curb Violence

 The Sokoto State Government has initiated a dialogue program with repentant bandits to address the rising insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West, Governor Ahmed Aliyu announced on Tuesday, June 17. 

The initiative, launched in collaboration with the federal government and security agencies, aims to reintegrate former bandits into society through amnesty, skills training, and economic support, following a surge in attacks that killed 200 people in Zuru Local Government Area in 2025.

Aliyu, speaking at a security summit in Sokoto, said, “Dialogue with those willing to renounce violence is key to peace.” The program targets over 500 repentant bandits, offering vocational training and ₦50,000 stipends to deter reoffending. The Nigerian Army’s Operation Hadarin Daji reported 13 bandits surrendered in May 2025, surrendering five AK-47 rifles. 

Community leaders, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, endorsed the dialogue, urging federal support for grazing reserves to reduce herder-farmer clashes. Analysts note that Sokoto’s banditry, driven by unemployment and resource disputes, requires economic reforms alongside security measures. The program’s success hinges on transparency and monitoring, with a progress review set for September 2025.