One of the most notorious bandit leaders, Isiya Kwashen Garwa, who was declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters, has reportedly surfaced, attended a peace meeting in Hayin Gada community of Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State and embraced a peace deal.
Garwa’s name is listed among Nigeria’s 19 most-wanted terrorists and bandits by the Defence Headquarters for his alleged links to kidnappings, killings and deadly raids across the forest belts in Katsina and neighbouring states.
Originally from Kamfanin Daudawa village in Faskari, Garwa has been described by security as part of a larger criminal network destabilising the North-West and North-Central through cross-border operations and the exploitation of weak state presence.
However, his sudden shift in posture has drawn mixed reactions as some of the communities view his acceptance of peace terms as a possible opportunity towards restoring needed peace and tranquillity in towns and villages long devasted by violence, while other are expressing scepticisms against the backdrop of the atrocities allegedly perpetrated by his group.
Some members of the community particularly questioned the sincerity of his commitment just as the authorities and local leaders are believed to be weighing the implications of the acceptance of the peace deal amid broader efforts to secure sustainable peace in the region.
The Defence Headquarters if yet to comment on the development.
