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Notorious Bandit Leader Frees 40 Captives In Katsina, Warns Govt After Alleged Attack On His People
While handing the victims to officials, Garwa accused security operatives of carrying out an attack in a community he identified as Ruwa-Godia during Friday prayers.
Katsina State– Notorious bandit leader Isya Kwashen Garwa on Friday handed over 40 people freed in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State following a peace dialogue between his group and local actors.
The release follows an earlier freeing of 30 captives on Wednesday, a move Garwa said was carried out in fulfilment of promises made at a peace pact meeting.
Garwa told government officials receiving the returnees that the total number of people released since the talks stands at roughly 70, though he put the figure at 72, explaining that two others were freed earlier and are not part of the group handed over on Friday.
He said the freed captives were not held together in a single location and that he had been dispatched into the bush to secure the release of all kidnapped victims.
While handing the victims to officials, Garwa accused security operatives of carrying out an attack in a community he identified as Ruwa-Godia during Friday prayers.
He alleged soldiers shot and killed men, women and children, seized motorcycles and other property, and that Hausa civilians had also been affected. Garwa said the incident suggested some security personnel did not want the peace process to succeed.
Garwa issued a warning to authorities, urging decisive action and accountability. He said that if the killings of their relatives continued, his group would reconsider the peace agreement and return to fighting.
He appealed for a peaceful resolution, calling for action taken in the fear of God and insisting that no life was worth more than another.
Government officials present at the handover were told the releases were voluntary and the result of commitments made during the peace talks, not the result of force or coercion.
The officials were urged to investigate the alleged attack and prevent further escalation.
Accordingto the bandit leader, “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.”
He 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.
