Residents of Kurfi Local Government Area in northern Katsina State have reached a peace deal with armed groups after years of killings, kidnappings and reprisals that devastated the farming community.
The accord was struck on Thursday during a reconciliation meeting at Dajin Wurma forest in Kurfi, attended by traditional rulers, political leaders, Fulani forest leaders and villagers.
Maradin Katsina and Hakimin Kurfi, Alhaji Mansur Amadu Kurfi, together with the Chairman of Kurfi LGA, Hon. Babangida Abdullahi Kurfi, led the process. The two described the agreement as “a step taken for the sake of maslaha (collective interest) and the well-being of our people.”
The Village Head welcomed the accord and pledged to rebuild trust between the community and Fulani groups, promising that traditional authorities would engage inclusively with Fulani leaders and support mechanisms to sustain the fragile peace.
Fulani leaders who spoke at the meeting — Alhaji Usman Kachalla Ruga, Sani Muhindinge, Yahaya Sani (known as Hayyu), and Alhaji Shu’aibu — vowed to end violent reprisals, cattle rustling, kidnapping and other crimes in the area.
“From today, we will live in peace. We will not attack, kidnap or take revenge. We are ready to protect our people and allow farmers to continue their work without fear,” one of the leaders declared.
The Chairman of Kurfi LGA called the reconciliation historic and said the council would work to address the needs of Fulani communities in the forests, including rehabilitation, education and health facilities.
He announced that Fulani groups could now freely enter Kurfi town and carry out their activities without harassment. “This is the beginning of a new chapter. We must sustain this peace by supporting one another. Our people deserve to live without fear, and we will do everything to make that possible,” he said.
Residents, elders, women and youth present at the meeting expressed relief and optimism that the agreement would finally end the cycle of violence.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama confirmed the reconciliation, noting that Kurfi had long been among the frontline communities affected by banditry.
“Kurfi LGA has suffered greatly from persistent attacks by armed groups, leading to deaths, displacement and the collapse of farming activities. This peace accord is significant because it represents a community-driven solution to a problem that has defied military operations for years,” Makama said.
He cautioned that lasting peace would depend on sincerity and inclusiveness. “For peace to last, there must be sincerity, inclusiveness and support from both government and community leaders. Otherwise, we risk falling back into the old cycle of mistrust and bloodshed,” he said.