Nineteen kidnapped residents of Katsina State have been released by bandits as part of the state’s ongoing peace and reconciliation efforts under the Operation Safe Corridor Initiative.
The victims, comprising men and women from Sabuwa and Funtua Local Government Areas, were freed on Thursday morning in Innono Jigo Village, Sabuwa LGA.
Their release follows fresh peace engagements with repentant bandits in the region, which authorities say are beginning to produce tangible results.
Those freed include 27-year-old Safaratu Basiru, 22-year-old Jamila Auwalu, and 17 others who had spent several weeks in captivity before regaining their freedom.
Local officials and community leaders received the rescued persons and escorted them to Haske Private Health Centre in Sabuwa for medical assessment before reuniting them with their families.
Speaking on the development, a senior security official in the area described the release as “a positive step toward restoring peace and confidence among rural communities long traumatised by insecurity.”
He added that authorities are closely monitoring the situation and maintaining dialogue with various stakeholders to ensure the gains of the peace process are sustained.
“We’re working tirelessly to strengthen the current peace accord and prevent a relapse into violence,” the official said.
“The safety of our people remains our top priority.”
Security experts have noted that the ongoing reconciliation efforts, though fragile, could pave the way for lasting stability if complemented with a stronger security presence and socio-economic support for affected communities.
The Katsina government continues to urge residents to cooperate with peace initiatives while reporting any suspicious movements that could threaten the progress achieved so far.