Peace deal breakthrough in Katsina as 37 abducted villagers regain freedom without ransom after weeks of negotiations

A significant peace deal breakthrough has been recorded in Katsina State as bandits have released 37 villagers abducted from Bakori Local Government Area after weeks of tense negotiations.

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The confirmation came from Abdulraham Kandarawa, the lawmaker representing Bakori Constituency in the Katsina State House of Assembly.

Kandarawa told journalists on Friday that the latest release brings the total number of freed captives to 82, noting that 45 villagers had earlier regained their freedom under the same peace initiative.

According to him, the abducted men, women, and infants were held in Sabe Local Government Area of Zamfara State and were freed without any ransom payment.

He said the development followed sustained dialogue with the bandits.

“Today, through the grace of God, we have finally received our people who were held captive. Insha Allah, they are back, and none is left in their hands,” he said.

Those released include 17 women, two infants, and 18 men.

Kandarawa explained that the bandits had assured the community that the captives would be released if peace was maintained, and the group fulfilled that promise.

He appealed to residents to continue to uphold peace, saying it was the foundation of the negotiation.

“We want to call on all citizens to embrace peace. It is everybody’s business. If we have offended anyone, we will amend, just to live in peace,” he said.

He also expressed appreciation to the bandits for honouring their word, stressing again that no ransom was paid. “This is what they promised, and they fulfilled it today,” he added.

Meanwhile, Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda has previously distanced his administration from negotiating with bandits, stating that the initiative was purely community-led.