The news shook many in Katsina: Isiya Kwashen Garwa, a name long feared in villages across the North-West, has now surfaced with a surprising message of peace. Once declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters and listed among the 19 most dangerous bandits in Nigeria, Garwa appeared in Hayin Gada, Faskari LGA, telling locals he was ready for dialogue.
For years, Garwa, originally from Kamfanin Daudawa, was synonymous with terror—killings, kidnappings, and raids that forced families to abandon their farmlands. Security experts say he belongs to a wider network of armed leaders who have exploited weak security presence to destabilize entire regions. His presence at a peace meeting left many wondering if it was truly dialogue or a mere show of power.
Now, with him openly embracing peace talks, leaders and security stakeholders are weighing their options carefully. Can someone who caused so much pain suddenly change course? For some residents, the possibility of calm returning to their communities is reason enough to welcome the move. But for others, memories of atrocities remain fresh, and Garwa’s sincerity is viewed with deep suspicion.
