Four kidnapped Nigerien citizens freed in Katsina after peace talks with bandits

Four citizens of Niger Republic who were kidnapped by bandits have regained their freedom in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State following a peace dialogue between the Jibia Security Committee and Fulani leaders in Kwari Village.
Counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama revealed on his X platform that the victims—Musa Usman, Ahmed Mustapha, Mamman Audu, and Abdullahi Hanzar—were abducted from Dakwaro and Tawa villages in Niger Republic before being taken into Nigeria.
Their release, he noted, was facilitated through negotiations aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the ongoing peace accord in the area.
According to sources, the engagement between security officials and Fulani leaders resulted in the unconditional release of the captives.
They were subsequently taken to a general hospital for medical evaluation before being handed over to Commissioner Dan Issa of Niger Republic for reunification with their families.
Katsina State has been a hotspot for banditry and cross-border kidnappings, with authorities attempting to curb the violence through both military action and peace negotiations.
Four kidnapped Nigerien citizens freed in Katsina after peace talks with bandits