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<title>Bandit Leader Garwa Frees 40 More Captives in Katsina — Warning to Government</title>
<meta name="description" content="Isiya Kwashen Garwa frees 40 captives in Faskari LGA, Katsina State, and warns government over alleged attacks on his camp." />
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<h1>Bandit Leader Garwa Frees 40 More Captives in Katsina, Warns Government Over Attacks on His Camp</h1>
<div class="meta">By <strong>Newsroom</strong> — <time datetime="2025-09-19">September 19, 2025</time> • Faskari, Katsina State</div>
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A notorious bandit commander identified as <strong>Isiya (Kwashen) Garwa</strong> handed over 40 additional captives to local authorities in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State on Friday, a development that follows recent peace talks between his group and community leaders. 0
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<img class="feature" alt="Rescued captives return to their communities" src="" />
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Photo: Freed captives arriving in Faskari (image source: local reports). 1
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<h2>What happened</h2>
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According to local officials and journalists covering the handover, the 40 people were freed following a peace pact meeting in Faskari. Garwa reportedly told government and community representatives that the releases were carried out in fulfilment of promises made during the talks and that his fighters were not coerced into freeing the captives. 2
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The release is the latest in a series of recent handovers: earlier this week Garwa had released another group (widely reported as 28–30 people), bringing the total number freed in recent days to roughly 70–72 people according to community tallies. 3
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<h2>Garwa’s warning to the government</h2>
<p>
While announcing the release, Garwa raised serious allegations about an incident in <strong>Ruwan-Godiya</strong> (also written Ruwan-Godiya/Ruwa-Godiya in some reports). He claimed that security operatives had attacked his community, killing members of his camp and Hausa civilians, and seizing motorcycles and property. Garwa warned that if the government did not address those alleged attacks, his group might reconsider the peace agreement and return to violence. 4
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"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," Garwa said, while urging that peace must be preserved. 5
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<h2>Why this matters</h2>
<p>
Releases like these are double-edged: they bring immediate relief to families and can lower kidnapping-related violence in the short term, yet they also reveal how fragile local peace pacts are when mutual distrust—especially over alleged security excesses—persists. Observers warn that perceived or real abuses by security forces can quickly erode trust and derail negotiations. 6
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<h2>What to watch next</h2>
<ul>
<li>Whether the Katsina State or federal government issues an official response to Garwa’s allegations about Ruwan-Godiya and whether investigations are opened. 7</li>
<li>Whether more captives are released or if factions opposed to the peace process carry out fresh attacks. 8</li>
<li>The reactions of displaced residents and local community leaders—whether they embrace the peace deal or demand stronger security guarantees. 9</li>
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<h2>Background (brief)</h2>
<p>
Katsina and neighbouring northwestern states have experienced recurring banditry, kidnappings and communal violence for years. In recent months some bandit commanders have engaged in local peace talks and released captives without ransom as part of community-level reconciliation efforts, even while security agencies continue operations against other armed groups. The outcomes of those deals have been mixed, with successes often undermined by reprisals, vigilante activity or disagreements over implementation. 10
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<h2>Voices</h2>
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Local council officials involved in the handover described the return of the captives as a welcome development and appealed for calm and continued engagement from all parties to consolidate the gains from the peace talks. Journalists and crisis monitors urged transparency—including independent verification of claims about killings and property seizures—to prevent the dispute from escalating. 11
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<div class="tags">
<span class="tag">Katsina</span>
<span class="tag">Banditry</span>
<span class="tag">Peace Talks</span>
<span class="tag">Security</span>
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Note: This article is based on on-the-ground reporting and local media accounts published September 17–19, 2025. Key sources include SaharaReporters and local news outlets. For updates, check official statements from Katsina State government and independent monitoring groups. 12
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