Ado Aleru, a notorious figure linked with banditry in Northern Nigeria, has warned that violent actions carried out by his faction will continue unless the government and society stop labeling them as terrorists.
The statement was brought to public attention by Zagazola Makama, a prominent counter-insurgency analyst, who detailed Aleru’s remarks during a recent peace negotiation held in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Representing his armed group, Aleru emphasized that the ongoing violence stems from years of neglect, discrimination, and socio-political injustice endured by pastoralist populations across the region.
“As long as we are still being referred to as terrorists, don’t expect us to act differently,” Aleru stated during the session.
He further explained that such stigmatizing language has become a barrier to any genuine dialogue or reconciliation process aimed at restoring peace.
According to him, many of the youths drawn into violent banditry did not set out to be criminals, but were forced into it due to unfavorable economic and societal conditions.
“Our elders are not pleased with our actions, and honestly, most of us don’t desire this path either. We long for a time when herders and farmers coexisted respectfully, and the security agencies treated everyone fairly,” he added.
The dialogue in Danmusa is part of a broader peace-building initiative led by local government leaders and national security forces to find lasting solutions to the prolonged violence plaguing Nigeria’s North-West region.
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