Notorious bandits leader, Isya Kwashen Garwa, has released 40 people in Faskari Local Government of Katsina State following a “peace dialogue” between his group and local authorities.
The release comes just days after 30 people were freed on Wednesday, bringing the total number of released captives to about 70 according to community figures.
In a viral video , Garwa, speaking to government officials as the victims were handed over, put the overall tally at 72, noting that two people had been freed earlier and are not included in the group of 40.
Garwa told officials the releases were made in fulfilment of promises from the peace pact meeting held in Faskari.
Stressing that his fighters were not coerced into freeing the captives.
He said he personally went into the bush to ensure those kidnapped were gathered and released to the authorities.
But the bandits leader expressed deep concerns over an incident he said took place on Friday in Ruwan-Godiya,.
when he alleged security operatives shot and killed members of his community.
Garwa claimed that Hausa civilians were also affected and that men, women and children were killed and motorcycles and other property seized.
He also warned that unless the government took decisive action to address the alleged killings, his group would reconsider the peace agreement and could return to violence.
Garwa said,
“You have seen that these people were released because of the promises we made during the peace pact meeting in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.”
You can see them — there are 40 of them.
Two people were released earlier and are not part of this group of 40. On Wednesday we released 30 people.
Altogether, they number 72.”They were released because of the peace deal meeting.
We were neither threatened nor overpowered before we released them — we released them because of the promises we made.
They are not all in one location.”I was instructed to go into the bush to ensure all kidnapped victims were released, and I am still trying to gather everyone who was kidnapped.
“The notorious bandit kingpin said,
While I was going around to secure their release I received a report from Ruwa-Godiya that security operatives went to meet our people and shot them.
It was not only our people — Hausa people were affected too.
They killed men, women and children, and they also took our property, including motorcycles.
This situation suggests that some people among the security operatives do not want us to live in peace.
“If you will act, take decisive action on this matter.
If you do not, we will return to our previous fighting, and if things worsen you will tell the world that we violated the promises we made.
“This incident happened on Friday. Government officials know what I am saying — I am not lying; you know the security operatives did this.
“Let me tell you: no life is worth more than another.
If we want to resolve this peacefully, let us do it in the fear of God,” he added.
The Faskari releases follow months of intermittent negotiations between bandit groups and local stakeholders aimed at reducing kidnappings and insecurity across parts of northwest Nigeria.
