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

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