(DDM) – Lauretta Onochie, a former presidential aide and prominent figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, has strongly criticised the handling of a recent peace negotiation in Katsina State after a bandit leader arrived dressed in heavy ammunition.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the controversial scene unfolded on Monday in Faskari Local Government Area during talks aimed at resolving persistent banditry in the region.
The unidentified bandit leader was photographed wearing striking regalia, with belts of ammunition strapped across his chest, while engaging openly with community leaders and negotiators.
The images sparked outrage as many residents questioned why such a display was tolerated at a peace dialogue meant to foster trust.
Onochie, in a statement posted on her official X handle, expressed alarm over the implications of normalising such scenes before impressionable youths.
She warned that young people observing the encounter may come to admire and aspire to emulate the armed bandits.
According to her, the decision to allow militants to showcase weaponry while engaging in state-recognised discussions sends the wrong message to society.
“The young ones watching from the background will admire and aspire to be like them,” she cautioned in her post.
Onochie accused community leaders of “romancing with bandits” by treating them as equals during the dialogue.
Her reaction has ignited wider debate about government strategies in tackling insecurity across Katsina and neighbouring states.
Security analysts note that peace deals with bandits have been attempted in Katsina before, often with mixed or temporary results.
Governor Dikko Radda has recently intensified security campaigns, but rural communities in Faskari, Bakori, and Safana remain vulnerable to raids and kidnappings.
Critics argue that high-profile negotiations with armed groups risk legitimising their actions rather than dismantling their networks.
For many residents, Monday’s incident reflected the deep tension between the desire for peace and the reality of insecurity.
The presence of ammunition at the meeting reinforced fears that bandits remain heavily armed and unrepentant.
Onochie’s intervention adds political weight to public outrage, given her history of vocal commentary on national security issues.
Observers say her stance reflects growing discontent within opposition voices over how the government balances dialogue with force.
Civil society groups have also begun questioning whether peace talks should continue under conditions that embolden criminals.
Photos shared online generated heated reactions, with many Nigerians accusing authorities of weakness.
Some insisted that dialogue under visible threat of weapons undermines both the process and public confidence.
Others, however, defended the initiative as a necessary compromise to end bloodshed in rural communities.
The Federal Government has not yet issued an official statement regarding the controversial peace talk episode.
Security operatives present at the gathering have also declined to comment on why the armed display was not curtailed.
For now, the incident has deepened scepticism about the viability of negotiating with armed groups in Nigeria’s troubled northwest.
Residents of Katsina continue to hope for peace, but many fear that the symbolism of Monday’s meeting may embolden rather than disarm criminal gangs.
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