Katsina Govt defends planned release of 70 suspected bandits

The Katsina State Government has explained the rationale behind its move to facilitate the release of 70 suspected bandits currently undergoing criminal trials over their alleged involvement in banditry-related activities.

The measure is, according to the state government, aimed at consolidating and broadening the existing peace deal between communities affected by insecurity in 15 local government areas of the state and repentant bandits.

It maintained that such tactics are adopted in war situations globally.

The government further disclosed that the deal had led to the release of at least 1,000 persons held captive by the suspected bandits in different attacks.

On January 2, 2026, an official letter came to the open detailing the state government’s plan to secure the release of the suspected bandits currently facing criminal trials for their involvement in banditry-related activities.

The letter, classified as “SECRET,” was issued by the Ministry of Justice and addressed to the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Musa Abubakar.

In the letter, the state government, through the Ministry of Justice, sought the intervention of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) to facilitate the release of the detained suspected terrorists.

Read Also: After consistent aerial bombardments, bandit kingpins beg for amnesty

The letter, which was signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Abdur-Rahman Umar, revealed that a list containing the names of 48 individuals accused of various banditry-related offences had been forwarded to the justice ministry by the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs.

According to the letter, the planned release of the suspected terrorists was to facilitate “their release from detention, as one of the conditions precedent for the continuance of the peace accord deal signed between the frontline local governments and the bandits.”

The government also said that while some of the suspects were already standing trial before the Federal High Court, some others remained in detention awaiting trial at various magistrates’ courts across the state.

Umar added that a separate list of about 22 inmates currently facing trial before different high courts across the state was submitted, seeking their release under the same peace arrangement, urging the state Chief Judge to take “necessary action” to that effect.

The government’s request sparked outrage among legal practitioners, civil society organisations, and the public.

Critics argued that releasing suspects accused of serious crimes risks undermining the rule of law, denying justice to victims, and potentially emboldening criminal networks.

In an interview with DCL Hausa, Nasir Muazu, commissioner for internal security and home affairs, the government described the move as essential to consolidating community-driven peace agreements with “repentant bandits” in several LGAs.

Muazu said the initiative is part of broader reconciliation efforts that have already yielded results.

He said the initiative has led to the release of nearly 1,000 abducted persons across multiple LGAs.

He said these releases stemmed from structured negotiations involving the communities.

Muazu likened the arrangement to post-conflict prisoner exchanges, citing Nigeria’s civil war, Boko Haram negotiations, and global best practices.

He said banditry remains a crime under Nigerian law, insisting that the peace process driven by affected communities has prioritised hostage release and stability, over prolonged detention.

Read Also: Insecurity: Any End On Sight?

“People know that normally, after a war, there are a lot of changes, so people negotiate and agree to release the people,” the commissioner said.

“‘If you can release our people, we too will release yours’. It happens after wars. Even here in Nigeria during the civil war, a lot of people were released from both parties, and even Boko Haram members were released. Even those Chibok girls who were released. So, whether it’s good or bad, it’s not new in the history of war and peace.

“Both kidnappers and Boko Haram members are doing the wrong thing. According to Nigerian law, it’s a crime. And here in Katsina, it’s both people and the bandits that negotiated and agreed we followed due process at least 15 steps before finalising.

“They agreed to release all the remaining people whom they had kidnapped. In Safana LGA, they already released 36 people, Kurmi 42, Sabuwa 310, Faskari 136, Dan Musa 60, Manunfashi 36, Musawa 28, Matazu 33, Dutsinma 62, Jibiya 31, and Bakori 125. It happened openly and was even posted on social media.

“And also both parties agreed that the bandits can now go to markets, hospitals, and do what they want freely. The negotiation is between them and the people and they have already released almost 1,000 people in Katsina state.

“They agreed to be at peace. I think what we should do now is to be prayerful for peace. Now Jibiya, Batsari, Safana, Dan Musa, Sabuwa, Faskari, Dan Dume, Bakori, Musawa, Matazu, Kurfi, Dutsinma, and other places are now in peace.

“What we should do is to thank God.”

It was gathered that the request falls within the statutory powers of the Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee under Section 371(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Katsina State, 2021.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasiru Danmusa, has said that no law was violated by the government, advising any person who feels displeased with the decision to seek legal redress.