Isiya Kwashen Garwa, a notorious bandit chieftain ranked among Nigeria’s top 20 terrorists, has shocked residents of the Faskari Local Government Area in Katsina State by agreeing to a peace pact. The agreement was reached yesterday Sunday during a community dialogue in Hayin Gada, Eastern Katsina, which offers a glimmer of hope after prolonged insecurity.
The accord, brokered by traditional rulers and respected elders leveraging Islamic reconciliation practices, involves Garwa and other key armed figures like Ado Aleru and Babaro. It calls for bandits to enter villages unarmed, allow unhindered farming and livestock grazing, and also release all captives without demanding ransoms.
Meanwhile, the Katsina State Government, led by Governor Dikko Radda, on the other side distances itself from direct negotiations with bandits, framing the accord as a community-driven solution that complements current military actions. Recently, the state inaugurated a €5.1 million conflict prevention campaign funded by the European Union, enlisting local institutions to promote peacebuilding programs.
Garwa, hailing from Kamfanin Daudawa village in Faskari, has a history of orchestrating brazen raids, kidnappings, and cattle theft across Northern Nigeria. His alleged involvement in deadly attacks, including the massacre of worshippers in Katsina.
Security analysts label him a key player exploiting fragile governance and lax border controls to sustain this violent network. His transformation into a self-declared advocate for peace shows a dramatic change, albeit met with skepticism by residents.
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