‘We Are Not Educated but Handle AK-47’ — Bandit Leader Demands Government Honour Agreements

‘We Are Not Educated but Handle AK-47’ — Bandit Leader Demands Government Honour Agreements

A suspected bandit kingpin has publicly admitted that members of his group lack formal education but are skilled in handling firearms, particularly AK-47 rifles, while accusing authorities of failing to honour past agreements.

The comments were contained in a video shared on Monday by security analyst Zagazola Makama on X, showing the armed leader addressing a gathering in Dutsenma Local Government Area of Katsina State.

In the footage, the leader, surrounded by armed followers and holding a rifle, spoke confidently as members of the group responded with cheers.

“We did not go to school and we are not educated, but even without schooling, we know how to operate an AK-47,” he said.

He further drew a comparison between education and his group’s lifestyle, stating: “While you gather books on your shelves, we have gathered AK-47 rifles and the weapons are our education.”

The kingpin also accused government authorities of failing to fulfil agreements reached during previous peace negotiations, insisting that his group had kept to its own commitments.

“If we make promises to you, we try to fulfil them. We expect you to do the same. This is one of our major concerns,” he said.

He alleged that many of his associates are currently being held in detention across several states, including Katsina, Kano and the Federal Capital Territory, claiming that calls for their release have gone unheeded.

“There is no state without our people in detention. Many of our men and women have been detained, but when we ask for their release, nothing happens,” he added.

The leader also criticised officials involved in dialogue efforts, alleging that agreements reached during meetings are not implemented once discussions end.

“Your leaders come to meet us and we agree on certain issues, but once they leave, they go back and sit comfortably in air conditions without fulfilling those promises,” he said, prompting laughter from the crowd.

He warned that his group could withdraw from dialogue and retreat into the forest if the situation continues, although he said they remain open to further negotiations.

“If you release our people, even if you call us to Katsina, we will come. We are not afraid to go anywhere, but we fear unfulfilled promises,” he said.A suspected bandit kingpin has publicly admitted that members of his group lack formal education but are skilled in handling firearms, particularly AK-47 rifles, while accusing authorities of failing to honour past agreements.

The comments were contained in a video shared on Monday by security analyst Zagazola Makama on X, showing the armed leader addressing a gathering in Dutsenma Local Government Area of Katsina State.

In the footage, the leader, surrounded by armed followers and holding a rifle, spoke confidently as members of the group responded with cheers.

“We did not go to school and we are not educated, but even without schooling, we know how to operate an AK-47,” he said.

He further drew a comparison between education and his group’s lifestyle, stating: “While you gather books on your shelves, we have gathered AK-47 rifles and the weapons are our education.”

The kingpin also accused government authorities of failing to fulfil agreements reached during previous peace negotiations, insisting that his group had kept to its own commitments.

“If we make promises to you, we try to fulfil them. We expect you to do the same. This is one of our major concerns,” he said.

He alleged that many of his associates are currently being held in detention across several states, including Katsina, Kano and the Federal Capital Territory, claiming that calls for their release have gone unheeded.

“There is no state without our people in detention. Many of our men and women have been detained, but when we ask for their release, nothing happens,” he added.

The leader also criticised officials involved in dialogue efforts, alleging that agreements reached during meetings are not implemented once discussions end.

“Your leaders come to meet us and we agree on certain issues, but once they leave, they go back and sit comfortably in air conditions without fulfilling those promises,” he said, prompting laughter from the crowd.

He warned that his group could withdraw from dialogue and retreat into the forest if the situation continues, although he said they remain open to further negotiations.

“If you release our people, even if you call us to Katsina, we will come. We are not afraid to go anywhere, but we fear unfulfilled promises,” he said.