A notorious bandit leader, Abu Radde, and his fighters have surrendered to security forces in Katsina State as part of a peace deal facilitated by security agencies and local authorities.
As part of the agreement, Radde also freed ten kidnapped victims.
This was revealed by counter-insurgency expert for the Lake Chad region, Zagzola Makama.
Makama stated that the group of bandits, including “Radde, Audu Lankai, Ori, Gila, Adamu Gurbi, Nawagini, Umar Black, Margyal, and Aloda, along with their foot soldiers, approached security officials seeking dialogue and reconciliation through non-kinetic means.”
A meeting to discuss the surrender was held at Kwari Village Primary School in Jibia Local Government Area, where stakeholders engaged with the armed group.
After deliberations, the bandits agreed to lay down their weapons.
To demonstrate their commitment to peace, the group handed over two AK-47 rifles to the military.
They also “unconditionally released ten abducted persons, who were immediately taken to a general hospital for medical evaluation.”
The repentant bandits assured that they would release more captives and pledged to stop attacking communities in the area.
Authorities have reassured residents that security forces will continue monitoring the situation to ensure lasting peace.
