A fresh controversy has erupted in Katsina State after the Member representing Bakori Constituency, Hon. AbdulRahman Ahmad Kandarawa, and the Chairman of Bakori Local Government Area were seen at a hostage-release site in the company of armed men.
The officials were captured in videos standing close to gunmen during the return of 37 kidnapped residents.
The victims, all abducted from Bakori LGA earlier in the week, were released on Friday following what community members described as a tense and highly unusual negotiation.
Government officials, local aides and a number of villagers were present as the hostages were brought out by the armed group.
Witnesses at the scene said the victims appeared exhausted, with several of them sitting on the bare ground while discussions went on between the intermediaries and the armed men.
The presence of elected officials at the location drew immediate attention, sparking public debate over the growing trend of local authorities engaging directly with criminal groups.
The release was coordinated by a self-styled peace negotiator, Isya Kwashen Garwa, who has been involved in previous dialogue efforts between communities around Bakori and armed groups operating in the forests along the area.
According to officials at the scene, the latest arrangement was part of a broader attempt to halt repeated raids, killings and kidnappings that have destabilised Bakori and adjoining councils.
Although the officials celebrated the safe return of the 37 residents, neither the Katsina State Government nor security agencies commented on how the negotiation was carried out.
Their silence has raised concerns about the transparency of the process and whether such engagements undermine ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the region.
Security observers warn that these negotiations, even when they result in release of captives, may strengthen the influence of criminal networks and weaken citizens’ trust in formal institutions.
Residents of Bakori say they appreciate the return of their loved ones but fear that the cycle of abduction and “peace deals” may continue unless a stronger security presence is deployed.
Officials also confirmed that the victims included women, children and elderly residents who had been taken from their homes during the recent attack.
However, community leaders say many families are still traumatised and unsure of what to expect next.
