Dan Musa, Katsina State | June 15, 2025
In a significant breakthrough in the ongoing fight against insecurity in the North-West region, notorious bandit kingpins operating in Dan Musa Local Government Area of Katsina State have voluntarily surrendered their weapons and released 16 kidnapped victims to security authorities.
The development was confirmed on Saturday by the Katsina State Government, in collaboration with security agencies and community leaders who facilitated the peace process.
According to sources close to the negotiation, the arms surrender and release of the hostages followed weeks of dialogue between the bandit leaders and local stakeholders under a government-backed amnesty initiative aimed at restoring peace in hard-hit communities.
The surrendered arms reportedly included AK-47 rifles, ammunition, and other dangerous weapons used in previous attacks in the area.
A senior official from the Katsina State Police Command stated that the freed victims, who had been held in various forest camps for several weeks, were undergoing medical evaluation and would be reunited with their families soon.
“This is a welcome development and a positive step toward restoring peace and security in Dan Musa and surrounding LGAs,” the official said. “We commend the role of traditional leaders and security operatives who ensured the safe release of these captives.”
The state government reiterated its commitment to using both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to address banditry while warning that any breach of the peace agreement by the bandits would attract swift punitive action.
Security analysts have praised the move as a potential turning point but urged authorities to remain vigilant and monitor the reintegration process closely.
