Residents of Matazu Local Government Area, Katsina State, have expressed fears after a supposed peace dialogue with bandits turned unsettling on Saturday.

Eyewitnesses said a notorious bandit leader arrived at the meeting wielding Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs), General Machine Guns (GMGs), and AK-47 rifles, alongside his men. The show of force during what was meant to be a peace initiative left locals alarmed.

Community leaders and Islamic clerics present at the talks voiced disappointment at the brazen display of arms.

“You came to a peace talk with AK-47 rifles, RPGs, and GMGs, and you return to the bush with the same weapons. How can this be called a peace deal?” one community leader lamented, noting that attacks often escalate after such dialogues.

Clerics and local authorities stressed that any genuine peace process must involve unconditional disarmament, with the safety of residents placed above group interests.

Residents also appealed to government and security agencies to take firmer steps to ensure future negotiations yield lasting peace in the troubled region.