Notorious wanted bandit kingpin, Ado Aleru, has once again surfaced publicly, attending fresh peace talks with residents of Kankara Local Government Area in Katsina State. The meeting marks another round of dialogue between communities terrorised by banditry and the armed groups that have plagued Nigeria’s North-West region for years.
Aleru is a wanted criminal on Nigerian security forces’ list, with a ₦5 million bounty on his head. Despite this, he has repeatedly appeared at peace meetings across Katsina State. During the latest meeting, Aleru reportedly explained why previous peace efforts failed to bring lasting peace. His appearance has raised serious questions about whether these agreements can actually work.
The peace talks come just days after Aleru suffered a major blow in a military encounter at Doma village, Katsina State. Reports indicate: His son was killed along with eight other family members; about 30 motorcycles belonging to his network were destroyed. The losses have significantly weakened his criminal network’s strength and mobility.
This is not Aleru’s first peace meeting. He previously attended talks in: June 2025 – Danmusa LGA, Katsina State. September 2025 – Faskari LGA, where he vowed to embrace peace. October 2025 – Kakumi village, where a peace accord was signed.
In September 2025, Aleru said he had previously withdrawn from peace efforts after his son was arrested, calling the arrest “unjust”.
Aleru’s participation in peace talks despite being wanted has sparked heated debate: Supporters of dialogue argue that negotiations can reduce attacks and help communities return to normal life. Critics warn that agreements with armed groups often collapse, pointing to continued attacks linked to Aleru’s network even after previous peace deals.
Adding to the controversy, Aleru was previously given a traditional title in Zamfara State during the administration of former Governor Bello Matawalle, who is now Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence. Katsina State is one of several North-Western states hit hard by banditry, with killings, kidnappings, and displacement affecting countless communities. The fresh peace talks in Kankara show that some communities are still willing to negotiate – even with wanted kingpins like Ado Aleru.
