In a dramatic twist, one of Nigeria’s most feared bandit warlords, Isiya Kwashen Garwa, has surfaced in Katsina State, publicly embracing a peace deal after years of bloodshed and terror.
Garwa, whose name features prominently on the Defence Headquarters’ list of 19 most-wanted terrorists and bandits, reportedly turned up in Hayin Gada, Faskari Local Government Area, pledging to abandon his violent past for dialogue and reconciliation.
Originally hailing from Kamfanin Daudawa village in Faskari, the once-elusive kingpin has long been synonymous with mass kidnappings, deadly raids, and cross-border attacks that destabilized large swathes of the North-West and North-Central regions. Security analysts say he operated within a vast network of armed groups that thrived on weak state presence in rural areas.
Now, in a surprising about-face, Garwa is presenting himself as a “peace advocate.” Local leaders and security stakeholders are weighing the development, with many cautious about trusting a man whose name strikes fear across villages and highways.
Reactions remain sharply divided. Optimists view the move as a breakthrough that could ease the suffering of communities battered by years of violence. Skeptics, however, warn that the kingpin’s sudden change of heart may be a ploy, recalling the atrocities committed under his command.
For now, Katsina holds its breath—watching to see whether Garwa’s peace pledge marks the beginning of a new dawn or yet another chapter of deceit in Nigeria’s war against banditry.
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