Armed kingpin says lack of education hasn’t stopped his group from mastering weapons, threatens to abandon talks if agreements aren’t honored

A suspected bandit leader has stirred fresh concern after openly declaring that while his fighters may lack formal education, they are highly skilled in the use of weapons—particularly AK-47 rifles—and remain committed to their own terms of engagement.

The statement, shared Monday by security analyst Zagazola Makama on X, was accompanied by a video showing the armed leader addressing a crowd in Dutsenma Local Government Area of Katsina State. Flanked by gunmen and holding a rifle, the kingpin spoke with confidence as supporters cheered.

“We may not be educated, but we know how to handle an AK-47,” he said, drawing a sharp contrast between his group and formally educated citizens. “While you gather knowledge from books, we have gathered rifles—and that is what guides us,” he added, raising his weapon to loud applause.

The bandit leader also accused authorities of repeatedly failing to honor agreements reached during negotiations. According to him, members of his group remain in detention across several states, including Katsina, Kano, and Abuja, despite promises made during dialogue.

“When we make an agreement, we try to keep it. We expect the same in return,” he said, expressing frustration over what he described as unfulfilled commitments. He further alleged that officials engage in talks but abandon their promises once they return to their offices.

Warning of potential consequences, the kingpin said his group could withdraw entirely from negotiations if the situation persists. He claimed his fighters could disappear into the forests for extended periods, leaving authorities with little trace of their movements.

Despite the threats, he signaled conditional openness to future talks, insisting that trust must be rebuilt. “If our people are released and agreements are respected, we will respond when called. But we cannot continue with empty promises,” he concluded.