Forty five people abducted from Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State have been released following renewed peace negotiations under the Operation Safe Corridor initiative.
The victims, comprising men and women from Guga in the Doguwar Dorawa Fulani settlement and Gidan Danmayaki villages, were freed on Monday after talks involving a bandit leader identified as Isiya Kwashen Garwa.
Counter insurgency expert Zagazola Makama announced the development on his X handle on Tuesday, stating that the victims regained freedom at around 2:00 pm and were immediately received by the lawmaker representing Bakori Constituency in the Katsina State House of Assembly.
The lawmaker reportedly took the victims to the Comprehensive Health Centre in Bakori, where health workers conducted assessments to determine their physical condition after prolonged captivity. Makama added that the freed victims have since reunited with their families.
The release has been met with widespread relief in the affected communities. Residents expressed gratitude to the security agencies and government officials involved. One local resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “We are thankful that our loved ones are back safely. We pray the peace talks continue so that such incidents do not repeat.”
Community leaders also welcomed the development. Alhaji Sani Musa, a village head in Doguwar Dorawa, said, “The release is a sign that dialogue can work. We urge the government to continue engaging with bandits to ensure long term peace in our communities.”
Security agencies and community leaders are maintaining close monitoring to consolidate the peace process and prevent further attacks, Makama noted. The release comes amid ongoing efforts by the Katsina State Government and security forces to curb kidnappings and banditry in the region through dialogue, community engagement, and tactical operations.