Bandits Release 28 Abductees in Katsina After Peace Deal

Suspected bandits have released 28 abductees in Faskari Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State following a peace agreement with local authorities.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency platform focused on the Lake Chad region, the captives—mostly residents of Mairua, Kanen-haki, and Yar Dabaru communities—were freed on Wednesday and handed over to council officials.

Sources quoted by the publication confirmed that no ransom was paid, stressing that the release was part of ongoing reconciliation efforts aimed at reducing violent attacks in the area.

> “The captives were released this afternoon without any ransom being paid. The bandit leader fulfilled his promise under the peace talks,” one source told Makama.

Community leaders in Faskari have described the development as a welcome step toward peace. They urged both residents and armed groups to sustain dialogue and called on other bandit factions still attacking villages to lay down arms.

While families expressed relief at the safe return of their loved ones, many also called for stronger security measures to ensure long-term stability in the region.