Nigerians have reacted strongly to viral images showing Ado Aleru, a wanted terror group leader, seated with military personnel and top government officials during a meeting in Katsina State.
Aleru, known across the northwest and parts of north-central Nigeria, has claimed responsibility for attacks involving the abduction of schoolchildren and the killing of security personnel and residents. The Defence Headquarters declared him wanted in 2022 and placed a ₦5 million bounty on him.
Despite this, Aleru was seen participating in a peace negotiation in Danmusa Local Government Area, Katsina State, where he met with security personnel and government representatives alongside other armed group leaders.
Daily Episode recalls that in 2020, Aleru and other armed leaders were included in a peace dialogue initiated by the Zamfara State Government, then led by Nigeria’s current state minister of defence. During the talks, reports indicated that Aleru and others received funds, motorcycles, and unspecified items under the agreement.
Residents in parts of Zamfara and Katsina States have since alleged that groups like Aleru’s continue to operate with weapons purchased using money received during government-led peace arrangements.
At the recent gathering in Katsina, Daily Episode learned that Aleru warned that hostilities would persist if communities continued to label his group as terrorists rather than as Fulani herders.
The appearance of Aleru in official peace efforts while still on the wanted list has drawn widespread reactions across the country, with citizens questioning the government’s stance and strategy on armed violence.
During the peace meeting that sparks the reaction in Dan Musa, Aleru stated that “the government knows how to end the killings, kidnappings, and banditry in Nigeria because many of the youths involved in banditry were forced into the act due to neglect, injustice, and long-standing grievances.”
“Our parents are not happy with what we are doing, and even we do not truly want this life in our hearts. We would prefer a return to the way things were, where there was mutual respect between farmers and herders, and security personnel stuck to their duties without bias,” he said.
“Only genuine reconciliation and reintegration must begin with mutual respect and the cessation of stigmatisation.
“As long as we are still being called terrorists, then do not expect us to stop behaving like terrorists,” he warned.
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