Bandits have released 37 villagers abducted from Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State after weeks of negotiations that led to a peace agreement, according to lawmaker Abdulraham Kandarawa. Kandarawa, who represents Bakori Constituency in the state House of Assembly, stated on Friday that this latest release increases the total number of freed villagers to 82, following the earlier release of 45 captives under the same arrangement.
Speaking to journalists in Katsina, Kandarawa confirmed that the villagers, held in Sabe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, were released without any ransom after sustained negotiations. “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 expressed.
The released hostages include 17 women, two infants, and 18 men. Kandarawa highlighted that the bandits had promised to release the captives if the community maintained peace, a commitment they fulfilled. He appealed to citizens to embrace peace, stating, “It is everybody’s business. If we have offended anyone, we will amend, just to live in peace.”
While thanking the bandits for adhering to their word without ransom payment, Kandarawa emphasized the importance of the commitments made during negotiations. However, Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda previously denied any negotiations with bandits, maintaining that the initiatives were purely community-driven while praising the restored peace through the truce.
