Top Bandit Leader Frees 40 More Captives, Threatens to Abandon Peace Pact Over Continued Attacks on His Camp

A notorious bandit leader, Isya Kwashen Garwa, has released 40 more captives in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, bringing the total number of freed victims in recent days to 72. The release followed a peace dialogue between his group and local officials.

The handover took place in Faskari, where Garwa told government representatives that the decision was made in line with promises from a recent peace pact meeting. He insisted that his fighters were not forced into releasing the captives, adding that he personally went into the bush to ensure the victims were gathered and handed over.

The development comes after 30 people were freed on Wednesday, in addition to two earlier releases. Community sources confirmed that the latest batch brings the overall tally to more than 70.

In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, Garwa warned that his group could reconsider the peace agreement if the government fails to act on alleged killings by security forces. He accused operatives of attacking his community in Ruwan-Godiya on Friday, claiming that men, women, and children were killed while motorcycles and other property were seized.

He told officials that such incidents threatened the fragile truce. “If you do not take decisive action on this matter, we will return to our previous fighting,” Garwa said. “If we want to resolve this peacefully, let us do it in the fear of God.”

The releases are part of ongoing efforts to reduce kidnappings and violence in northwest Nigeria, where local authorities have been holding intermittent negotiations with armed groups.