Stop Calling Us Terrorists To End Violence, Says Bandit Kingpin Ado Aliero

Notorious bandit leader Ado Aliero has declared that members of his group will not end their violent activities unless authorities and the general public stop referring to them as terrorists.

As reported by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama on his X platform, Aliero stated this during a peace dialogue session held in Danmusa local government area of Katsina State while speaking on behalf of his group.

The meeting was part of ongoing peace efforts involving security agencies, local authorities, traditional leaders, and armed groups to restore peace in the conflict-ridden North-West region.

The dialogue, which was attended by community members, police officers, and military personnel, was captured in a video shared in the same post by Makama.

Footage from the meeting showed Aliero adressing the mixed crowd where he declared, “If we are still being called terrorists, then do not expect us to stop behaving like terrorists.”

He claimed that many of the youths who joined armed groups were forced into it by harsh circumstances beyond their control.

“Our parents are not happy with what we are doing, and even we do not truly want this life in our hearts. We would prefer a return to the way things were, where there was mutual respect between farmers and herders, and security personnel stuck to their duties without bias,” he said.

Aliero further insisted that any move toward peace must begin with mutual respect and an end to stigmatisation.

LEADERSHIP reports that the presence of security personnel at the meeting alongside a known fugitive has raised questions among the people about the government’s strategy in dealing with banditry.

Recall that Aliero has been on the police most wanted list since 2019, with several allegations linking him to mass killings and violent attacks across Katsina and Zamfara States.