Peace Deal in Faskari Sparks Questions Over Bandits Foreign Travels to Saudi Arabia

By: Zagazola Makama

The recent peace dialogue held in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State has not only drawn attention for the attendance of top bandit leaders but also raised questions over how some of them were able to travel abroad despite being on security watchlists.

Among those present was Malam Hassan Dan Tawawe, a notorious figure from Katsina who was once listed among the country’s most wanted bandit kingpins.

During the parley, Dan Tawawe joined other leaders, including Ado Aleru, Babaro, and Isiya Kwashen-Garwa, in agreeing to terms of peace such as safe entry into towns without arms, freedom of captives without ransom, mutual forgiveness, and unhindered farming and grazing across the North West.

Observers, however, noted that Dan Tawawe appeared at the event wearing a pilgrim’s cloth, reportedly issued during the 2025 Hajj exercise, bearing the badge of the Kaaba. This, they argue, confirms he had recently travelled to Saudi Arabia and returned safely through one of Nigeria’s official airports.

Dan Tawaye also has his passport processed through the Nigerian Immigration Service and Screened with his National Identification Number.

The development has revived concerns about how more than 14 bandits, including some of the most dangerous and wanted criminals, travelled to Saudi Arabia undetected in recent months.

Questions continue to trail how they passed through airports in Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, and even Abuja without being flagged by security agencies, despite their names being linked to terrorism and banditry.

While Nigerians, residents of Faskari and surrounding communities have welcomed the peace pact, many say the revelation brings to light the lingering weaknesses in Nigeria’s border control and airport screening systems.

It also exposed the complicity of those responsible for organising the Hajj Operations.

Peace Deal in Faskari Sparks Questions Over Bandits Foreign Travels to Saudi Arabia

Nigeria’s wanted bandit kingpin accepts peace deal in katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

A notorious bandit leader, Isiya Kwashen Garwa, who was recently declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters, has reportedly accepted a peace deal in Katsina State.

Zagazola Makama gathered that Garwa, whose name features among 19 most-wanted terrorists and bandits in Nigeria, has turned up in Hayin Gada community, Faskari Local Government Area, presenting himself as an advocate of dialogue.

Garwa, originally from Kamfanin Daudawa village in Faskari LGA, has long been linked to killings, kidnappings and raids across forest belts in Katsina and neighbouring states.

Security experts describe him as part of a wider network of armed leaders destabilising the North-West and North Central through cross-border operations, exploiting of weak state presence.

Despite his bloody record, Garwa’s recent posture signals a possible shift in approach, as local leaders and security stakeholders weigh the implications of his acceptance of peace terms.

Reactions remain divided. While some residents see the development as a chance to restore calm in long-troubled communities, others question the sincerity of the bandit leader, recalling the atrocities attributed to his group.

Nigeria’s wanted bandit kingpin accepts peace deal in katsina

Why we rehabilitate over 100 moribund boreholes, other projects in Hawul LGA…… Says Chair

By Ndahi Marama

The Executive Chairman of Hawul local government area in Borno state, Hon. Hussaini Malgwi has said, his administration in the last two years embarked on rehabilitation of over 100 malfunctional and abandoned boreholes in order to provide citizenry with portable drinking water.

Malgwi disclosed this Yesterday in an interview with Journalists about his stewardship in office.

He said, when he assumed the mantle of leadership as Chairman, he realized that portable water supply remained one of the major challenges affecting his people at the grassroots, therefore, his administration embarked on massive rehabilitation of existing but malfunctional boreholes.

“Clean water is wealth and good for healthy living, unfortunately, when i took over the mantle of leadership, most of the existing public boreholes across the 12 Wards of the Council were broken down or neglected, which prompted my attention to quickly declare state of emergency by rehabilitating most of the motorized and hand pump boreholes in Kida, Kinging, Sakwa, Horva, Gumshim Marama, Shaffa, Hema, Ghuma, Yimirshika, Sabon Kasuwa among other Wards too numerous to mention”. Malgwi said.

He said apart from rehabilitating boreholes, several blocks of classrooms with offices stores, toilets and other educational projects were carried out and completed visibly located at Sakwa Central Primary School and Wadar community of Bulumgwi Ward, while others are still ongoing.

The Chairman also explained that, construction of blocks of seven shops, space open stalls, 3 compartment and men/female toilets were executed each in Marama/Pakilama town Market, Mbulatawiwi, Whitambaya, Sabon Kasuwa communities, in addition to the Construction of a befitting Male.and Female Ward, Nurses Office, Labour Room and toilets at Domchaba, Grim Domchaba Ward to enhance public Health at the primary level.

On security and safety, Malgwi revealed that, his administration has procured and distributed new motorcycles to members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hunters, and other security agencies in the council, which according to him aided in restoration of peace, safety of lives and property in Hawul.

Other areas of intervention he added, include provision of agricultural inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers at subsidized rate, provision of access rural roads linking new grain market and Azare Fulani at Mbulatawiwi, Gongzang/Chata Ward, and the ongoing construction of Directors and Supervisory Councillors offices at the Council Secretariat in Azare town as well as execution of Mini Fire Service Station, construction of 620 Metre perimeter fence and security room at New Governor’s lodge were carried out.

The Chairman noted that most of these achievements were inline with Governor Babagana Zulum’s 10- Pact Transformation Agenda (PTA) and 25- Year Development Plan.

He then called on the people of the area to give their maximum support and cooperation to the present administration which is poised to ensure inclusivity and provision of social infrastructures to its people devoid of political or religious inclination.

Why we rehabilitate over 100 moribund boreholes, other projects in Hawul LGA…… Says Chair