In a significant breakthrough, 45 captives, including men, women, and children, have been freed by repentant bandits in Katsina State. The release took place at a border village between Faskari and Bakori Local Government Areas on Monday, November 17, 2025. The bandits, led by Alhaji Isiya Kwashen Garwa, handed over the captives to the Bakori Local Government authorities.

The release is seen as a major confidence-building step, following a peace deal meeting where the bandits promised to free captives. Engr. Abdurrahman Kandarawa, the lawmaker representing Bakori, witnessed the handover and thanked the repentant bandits for honouring the agreement. He emphasised the importance of dialogue and peaceful coexistence between the Hausa and Fulani communities.

The freed captives have been taken to the Comprehensive Health Centre in Bakori for medical evaluation and are now reunited with their families. Security agencies and community leaders are maintaining close monitoring to consolidate the peace process and prevent further attacks.