A suspected bandit kingpin in Katsina State has openly acknowledged that his followers lack formal education but are highly skilled in handling firearms, particularly AK-47 rifles.

The admission was shared on Monday by security analyst Zagazola Makama on X, alongside a video showing the leader addressing a crowd in Dutsenma Local Government Area.

In the footage, the armed leader spoke confidently while raising his rifle, drawing cheers from his followers.

“We did not go to school and we are not educated, but even without schooling, we know how to operate an AK-47,” he stated.

He contrasted his group’s skills with formal education, saying, “While you gather books on your shelves, we have gathered AK-47 rifles, and the weapons are our education.”

The kingpin criticized authorities for failing to honor agreements from previous dialogue efforts, alleging that many of his members remain in detention across Katsina, Kano, and Abuja.

“There is no state without our people in detention. Many of our men and women have been detained, but when we ask for their release, nothing happens,” he said.

He also accused government representatives of meeting for negotiations but not implementing agreed terms, warning that continued inaction could force his group to withdraw from dialogue.

“All the people you see here may disappear into the forest for months if we are not invited again for discussions,” he cautioned.

Despite the warning, the leader indicated willingness to return to talks if authorities release detained members and uphold past commitments, emphasizing trust and accountability as key conditions for engagement.