By John Moses
In a significant development in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against insurgency, several notorious leaders of terrorist groups operating in Katsina State have voluntarily surrendered their weapons and released 16 hostages as part of ongoing amnesty negotiations.
The Nigerian Army announced the development in a statement shared on its official social media platforms, revealing that the move resulted from a coordinated disarmament and disengagement campaign spearheaded by Operation Fasan Yamma in collaboration with local stakeholders.
According to the statement, on 14 June 2025, eight prominent militant figures—identified as Kamulu Buzaru, Manore, Nagwaggo, Lalbi, Alhaji Sani, Dogo Baidu, Dogo Nahalle, and Abdulkadir Black—laid down their arms in Dan Musa Local Government Area. The individuals also turned over 16 hostages, including seven women and nine children, to government authorities.
“These individuals expressed their commitment to renounce armed violence and embrace peaceful coexistence,” the Army stated, adding that all surrendered weapons had been securely collected.
In a further gesture of goodwill, the group pledged to release the remaining captives in their custody by 15 June 2025.
The released hostages have since been handed over to local government officials, while security forces continue to maintain a strong presence in the region to safeguard the gains made and ensure continued stability.
The Nigerian military has stepped up community-based disarmament efforts in the North-West, an area plagued by armed banditry and mass abductions in recent years. Analysts say this latest development could signal a shift in strategy towards reconciliation and rehabilitation as part of broader counter-insurgency efforts.
