28 abductees regain freedom in Katsina after peace deal with bandits

In a major relief for families in Katsina State, suspected bandits have released 28 people previously held captive in Faskari Local Government Area (LGA).

According to reports by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focusing on the Lake Chad region, the freed hostages were mostly residents of Mairua, Kanen-haki, and Yar Dabaru communities. They were released on Wednesday and formally handed over to local council authorities.

Sources revealed that the release came after a peace deal brokered by local leaders as part of wider reconciliation efforts to curb violent attacks in the region. Importantly, no ransom was paid for the freedom of the abductees, a move many hope will build trust and reduce further hostilities.

“The captives were released this afternoon without any ransom being paid. The bandit leader fulfilled his promise under the peace talks,” Makama quoted one of the sources as saying.

Community leaders in Faskari described the release as a welcome development and urged all parties to sustain the peace process.

The leaders also appealed to the bandit leaders to persuade other groups still attacking communities in the region to stand down.

Makama added that while residents expressed relief at the safe return of their loved ones, they also called for stronger security measures to guarantee lasting peace in the area.