The meeting, aimed at reducing hostilities and opening channels of dialogue, brought together representatives of the local government and leaders of the armed groups active in the region.
This latest dialogue comes shortly after a similar session was held last week in Faskari Local Government Area, where several notorious bandit leaders — some openly carrying weapons and ammunition — attended.
Authorities maintain that the peace talks are part of wider measures to tackle the persistent insecurity in Katsina State, which has endured frequent attacks, kidnappings, and other violent incidents linked to armed groups.
Despite the government’s optimism, many residents remain doubtful about the sincerity of the bandits and continue to express fears about the dangers of negotiating under such fragile conditions.
Recently, Chronicles Reporters reported that a feared bandit kingpin, Isya Kwashen Garwa, freed 40 more captives in Faskari following peace discussions with local leaders. Officials present at the handover confirmed the release.
The latest gesture came just days after 30 people were released on Wednesday, bringing the total number of freed victims to around 70, according to community figures.
In a video obtained by Chronicles Reporters, Garwa, speaking during the handover, said the overall figure was 72, explaining that two victims had been released earlier and were not included in the 40 presented to authorities.
Garwa stated that the release was carried out in fulfilment of commitments made during the Faskari peace talks and stressed that his fighters were not compelled into freeing the hostages.
He explained that he personally entered the bush to ensure the captives were gathered and released to government officials.
However, the bandit leader raised serious concerns about an incident in Ruwan-Godiya, where he claimed security operatives killed members of his community.
According to him, Hausa civilians were also among the casualties, including women and children, while motorcycles and other property were seized during the operation.
Garwa warned that if government failed to address the alleged killings, his group might reconsider its commitment to the peace pact and could return to violent reprisals.
Earlier, on September 18, Chronicles Reporters reported that the Katsina State government acknowledged that bandits had demanded the construction of schools, hospitals, and grazing reserves as conditions for peace in the state.
Commissioner for Security, Nasiru Mu’azu, told the BBC that these demands emerged from community-level negotiations involving gunmen in several local government areas, including Dan Musa, Jibiya, Batsari, Kankara, Kurfi, and Musawa.
He admitted that the collapse of the state’s earlier amnesty programme contributed to worsening insecurity, noting that while attacks were limited to five LGAs between 2011 and 2015, by 2023 they had spread to 25 local government areas.
Mu’azu clarified that the current initiative for talks was not driven by the government but by community leaders who approached the bandits, hoping to end years of killings, cattle rustling, and mass abductions.
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