Zamfara, Nigeria – June 15, 2025
A notorious bandit kingpin, Ado Aliero, has called on the Nigerian government to desist from referring to him and his group as terrorists, claiming that such labels only worsen the ongoing violence in the North-West region.
In a viral video circulating on social media, Aliero insisted that the persistent designation of armed groups as terrorists fuels anger and retaliation among his followers, leading to further insecurity and breakdown of peace efforts.
“If the government wants peace, they must stop calling us terrorists. We are open to dialogue, but the constant military operations and negative names only bring more bloodshed,” he said in Hausa.
Aliero, who has been on the Nigerian Police and military watchlists for years due to his alleged role in multiple attacks, kidnappings, and cattle rustling incidents, has evaded several arrest attempts and is believed to operate across parts of Zamfara, Katsina, and Niger States.
Government officials have not formally responded to Aliero’s remarks, though security analysts warn that any move to negotiate with bandits without justice or accountability could undermine the rule of law.
The Nigerian government, under President Bola Tinubu, has consistently maintained a firm stance on treating banditry as terrorism following court rulings in 2021 categorizing such acts under the Terrorism Prevention Act.
