Ado Aliero, a notorious bandit kingpin long declared wanted by Nigerian security forces, has issued a public warning to the federal government, demanding that authorities stop referring to his armed group as “terrorists.”
Aliero stated that his group would not cease its violent operations unless the label was dropped, insisting that the name fuels further conflict.
Despite being on the police wanted list since 2020—with a ₦5 million bounty on his head—Aliero appeared openly over the weekend at a controversial peace meeting in Katsina State.
A video obtained by SaharaReporters captured the meeting, which was attended by officers of the Nigerian Army, members of the Nigeria Police Force, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and officials from Danmusa Local Government Area.
During the gathering, Aliero made several startling claims, including that Nigerian soldiers had lived peacefully in his home for six years. He said no conflict occurred during their stay, and that any soldier in the country could verify this.
He also spoke of rejection from his family, admitting that his parents never supported his criminal activities and had disowned him out of shame.
Aliero went on to boast of being one of the original masterminds of organized banditry in Nigeria, claiming many youths were driven into the armed lifestyle by poverty and hardship.
Despite his public appearance and confession, Aliero remains on the wanted list of Nigerian authorities.
“Those who want to go and farm should farm, and those who want to graze their cows should do so. All we know is how to rear cattle and farm,” he said.
He added that even their families have condemned their actions.
“Since we started this banditry, our parents have not supported it. They dislike what we are doing and have even chased us out of their homes,” he said.
Aliero claimed that some families in the region have been attacked more than 10 times, leading many to return to crime out of desperation.
“When you’re constantly on the run, chased and bombed by security forces, some think going back to banditry is the only option. But we must come together and make peace, because there’s no running anymore,” he said.
“It’s time to renounce violence and lay down our arms. Otherwise, we will be killed. This is the plain truth. If we return to peace and pursue education, our children will have a better future and will succeed.”
He also criticised government narratives about offering education to repentant bandits.
Aliero said, “I’m calling on the Nigerian government, for God’s sake. In light of the current situation, they should stop referring to us as terrorists while claiming that they have built schools for bandits or provided us with education.
“They should also stop saying that bandits have been rehabilitated and reintegrated into society — that is simply not true.”
He acknowledged that some soldiers had been kidnapped in places like Yanwari and Yankusa, but insisted that all were now living peacefully.
“The government must stop referring to us as terrorists. As for me, Nigerian soldiers lived in my house for six years — any soldier in Nigeria can verify this. They stayed in my home, and throughout that time, we never had any misunderstanding,” he said.
“If we understand one another, we can live together in peace. Soldiers may be posted here today and transferred tomorrow, but we, as indigenes, are born here. We know one another’s families and history. If we cannot forgive the past and embrace each other, what hope is there for saving ourselves?”
He compared the military’s operations to the movements of nomadic herders, saying, “These security operatives are not permanently stationed in one place. They roam from one area to another, just like herders who move their cattle once the land is depleted.”
“For the sake of Allah, I am pleading with the President of this country—please stop calling us terrorists or bandits. If the government truly wants us to live in peace, it must stop using such names.”
“In any area they come from, I was the one who spearheaded this movement. I know how it all started, and up until now, I remain fully informed. There is nothing I don’t know about this struggle. Any known bandit, whether alive or dead, is under us,” he added.
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