A prominent bandit leader, Abdu Lankai, who spearheaded the peace deal in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, has been captured by a rival group.
Seven of Lankai’s gang members were also reportedly killed following a violent clash linked to a failed reconciliation meeting with rival groups opposed to the peace agreement.
Reliable sources in Jibia said several repentant bandits loyal to the former warlord sustained gunshot wounds, with two currently in critical condition and receiving medical attention at a hospital in Katsina.
Lankai had reportedly risen to prominence among bandit groups operating across parts of Zamfara State and neighbouring Maradi in the Niger Republic after accepting a peace agreement that barred armed attacks in Jibia Local Government Area.
Jibia is among the first local government areas in Katsina State to sign a peace deal with bandits in an effort to end deadly attacks on communities. Several other local government areas have also entered into similar peace pacts with the armed groups.
The crisis reportedly began between Friday and Sunday last week following a dispute between Lankai and rival bandit factions loyal to Dogo Rabe and a commander known as Black. The duo are alleged to be associates of the notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, and were opposed to the Katsina community-driven peace initiative.
Sources said the disagreement stemmed from allegations that Abdu Lankai harboured a bandit accomplice contracted to supply weapons after collecting about N100 million as a down payment from the Dogo Rabe and Black factions.
Daily Trust gathered that a reconciliation meeting involving Abdu Lankai, Dogo Rabe and Black was deceptively convened on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, to lure Lankai out.
The meeting reportedly turned violent when Dogo Rabe’s faction arrived with a large number of fighters, attacked Lankai’s group, killed his men and captured him alive.
Lankai was said to have enforced the peace agreement strictly, banning bandit operations in Jibia Local Government Area.
Dogo Rabe, a native of Jibia, reportedly rejected the deal and relocated his camp to neighbouring Zamfara State, where he aligned with Bello Turji.
Sources said that clashes between the rival camps began on Friday and escalated into Saturday before senior bandit leaders, including Adamu Aleru and Bello Turji, reportedly intervened and ordered a ceasefire.
In an audio message sent to Katsina Times and shared with Daily Trust on Wednesday evening, Turji disclosed that Lankai is in his custody, while offering condolences to the families of bandits who lost their lives during the operation to capture him alive.
In the audio, Turji warned the public to stay away from the internal crisis, assuring that Lankai would be investigated and either released if found innocent or dealt with accordingly.
The development has reinforced calls for a careful review of the peace deal, not only in Jibia but across local government areas covered by the community-driven peace initiative.
The Chairman of the Jibia Local Government Security Committee, Yusuf Sulaiman, confirmed that tension and apprehension are rising in the area.
“Since the news of this incident broke, residents have been living in fear. We have declared a period of prayers for divine intervention because if this crisis remains unresolved, the peace deal may collapse,” he said.
Residents also told our correspondent in Katsina that Abdu Lankai played a significant role in neutralising bandits who attempted to undermine the peace process.
The Secretary-General of the Jibia People’s Forum, Bashir Lawal, said the community has committed to prayers and fasting.
“For the past year, we have enjoyed a fragile peace. His abduction is unfortunate, and if the process fails, many things could go wrong. Jibia’s peace deal remains the most effective among those signed in Katsina,” he said.
Similarly, Kabir Sani, Secretary of the Jibia Security Committee, described the situation as a moment for sober reflection and prayers, noting that efforts were ongoing to secure Lankai’s release.
Residents near Abdu Lankai’s base reported hearing heavy gunshots allegedly fired by his followers, suggesting possible mobilisation and calls for revenge.
Efforts to obtain official comments from security agencies in Katsina were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Security analyst, Dr. Yahuza Getso, said Lankai and other faction commanders have been at loggerheads for a long time, noting that recent developments highlight the intense pressure surrounding the peace process and the need for all stakeholders to be more vigilant in monitoring their activities to avoid scuttling the fragile peace currently being enjoyed.
“This recent development underscores the importance of disarmament, or otherwise, of bandits who entered into peace agreements across the areas covered by the deal,” he said.
However, Getso disclosed that information from relatives and close associates of Abdu Lankai indicates that the issues have, for now, been resolved.
