By Umar Babangida
A notorious bandit kingpin, Alhaji Isiya Kwashen Garwa, has released 37 abducted victims following negotiations with officials from Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The victims, who were abducted over 40 days ago, were freed on Monday after both sides reached a peace accord. The negotiation team comprised the Member representing Bakori Constituency in the Katsina State House of Assembly, Hon. Kandarawa; the Chairman of Bakori Local Government; the Secretary of Faskari Local Government, Hon. Bashir Maigora; and Alhaji Isiya Kwashen Garwa, representing the armed group.
Speaking during the handover of the victims, Kwashen Garwa said the gesture was tied to the group’s commitment to honouring the peace agreement.
He stated, “We will stick to our decision to stop attacking people as long as the promises made to us are not broken.”
Kwashen Garwa further noted that force alone could not have secured the victims’ release, stressing the centrality of dialogue.
According to him, “No force could free these people except negotiation. Many techniques and force were used in the past to stop us, but they did not work. Only negotiation can bring an end to what we are doing.”
The bandit leader also claimed that the peace accord had already yielded results, citing improved security in parts of the state.
He said, “Faskari Local Government, which used to be one of the most dangerous areas because of the activities of our people, has now been peaceful for over three months after accepting the negotiation.”
Kwashen Garwa urged residents to let go of past grievances and injustices to enable sustainable peace and coexistence across affected communities.
Bakori Local Government is one of several councils in Katsina State that recently joined the ongoing peace negotiations with armed groups, following similar engagements in other frontline LGAs.