Katsina Govt Justifies Planned Release of 70 Suspected Bandits to Sustain Peace Deal
Katsina Govt Justifies Planned Release of 70 Suspected Bandits to Sustain Peace Deal
The Katsina State Government has justified plans to release 70 individuals detained over alleged involvement in banditry, describing the move as a strategic step to preserve a fragile peace agreement with armed groups operating across the state.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Muazu, said the decision was aimed at strengthening peace accords reached between affected communities and repentant bandits in several local government areas.
He explained that the initiative has already contributed to the release of hundreds of abducted residents.
Muazu spoke while reacting to public criticism that followed the circulation of a confidential government letter seeking judicial support to facilitate the release of the suspects.
According to him, the peace process covers no fewer than 15 local government areas and has so far resulted in the freedom of about 1,000 people previously held captive by armed groups.
He compared the proposed release to prisoner exchanges commonly adopted after conflicts, noting that similar approaches had been used in past security engagements in Nigeria.
The controversy erupted after a letter dated January 2, 2026, marked “Secret,” surfaced online. The document, reportedly issued by the Katsina State Ministry of Justice and addressed to the Chief Judge of the state, indicated that steps were being taken to secure the release of suspects currently facing trial for banditry-related offences.
The letter, signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Abdur-Rahman Umar, stated that an initial list of 48 suspects had been submitted by the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs. It added that the release of the suspects was a key condition for sustaining the peace agreement reached with armed groups in frontline local government areas.
According to the document, while some of the suspects had been charged before the Federal High Court, others were still being held pending trial at various magistrate courts.
A separate list of about 22 inmates standing trial before different high courts in the state was also reportedly forwarded for consideration under the same arrangement.
The ministry cited provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Katsina State, 2021, urging the Chief Judge to take appropriate action through the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee.
The planned release has, however, triggered strong reactions nationwide, with critics warning that freeing suspects accused of violent crimes could weaken the justice system and further traumatise victims.
In response, Muazu insisted that the peace initiative has produced visible results, pointing to the release of abductees in local government areas such as Sabuwa, Safana, Kurfi, Faskari, Danmusa, Bakori and Dutsinma.
He maintained that the actions of the Ministry of Justice and the courts were lawful, adding that anyone who disagreed with the process had the option of seeking legal redress through the courts.
