Bandits Establish Parallel ‘States’ in Nigeria, Hold Victory Parade in Katsina — Mahdi Shehu Alleges
Story: written by Okafor Joseph October 17,2025
Human rights activist Mahdi Shehu has sounded the alarm over the growing audacity of armed bandits in Northern Nigeria, revealing that criminal groups now hold “victory parades” and enforce their own laws in parts of Katsina State.
In a post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, Shehu disclosed that heavily armed bandits, dressed in combat gear, recently gathered in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State for what was described as a “peace deal” with a subdued local community.
According to him, the development underscores how bandits have gained control over several rural areas, operating as “a state within a state” and dictating the terms of existence for residents who live in constant fear.
“For over a decade, these bandits have murdered, raped, displaced, and impoverished thousands across the North. Now, they rule unchallenged in many villages where locals must obey their commands just to farm, trade, or survive,” Shehu lamented.
He warned that the situation in Bakori mirrors a wider pattern spreading across the northern region, where the influence of non-state actors continues to grow amid weak security responses.
The revelation has sparked outrage online, with Nigerians expressing concern over what they describe as the gradual collapse of state authority in several parts of the country.
