The Chairman of Faskari Local Government Area in Katsina State, Hon. Surajo Aliyu Daudawa, personally ventured into the forest to negotiate with bandits and secured the release of 26 kidnapped victims from the Tafoki area of the state.
This is despite repeated warnings from security agencies and government authorities against negotiating with terrorists or bandits,
Daudawa reportedly met face-to-face with a Fulani group that had previously entered into a peace agreement with the local community.
The negotiation was led by a notorious bandit kingpin, Isiya Kwashen Garwa, who facilitated the safe release of the abductees on Sunday.Meanwhile, the scene showed the local government chairman standing beside Garwa, who was heavily armed, with weapons and ammunition visibly tucked into his jacket.
Faskari Local Government, one of the areas severely affected by bandit attacks in Katsina State, has witnessed frequent kidnappings and violent raids in recent years.It was gathered that the Defence Chief stated that they had repeatedly seen that whenever people tried to make peace with the bandits, it backfired.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, had cautioned Nigerians against entering into peace deals or negotiations with armed bandits, warning that such efforts had consistently backfired and only emboldened criminal groups.
Speaking in an interview General Musa said those who attempt to make peace with bandits are only putting themselves and their communities in danger, as the so-called truces are often used by the criminals to regroup and expand their operations.
