The Katsina State Government has defended its plan to facilitate the release of 70 individuals facing trial for alleged involvement in banditry, describing them as repentant bandits whose freedom is tied to ongoing peace agreements across the state.
The plan became public after a leaked letter revealed that the state government had sought judicial intervention to enable the release of the suspects, many of whom are currently being prosecuted in different courts. The disclosure triggered widespread public criticism and renewed debate over the state’s approach to tackling insecurity.
Speaking on the issue, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Muazu, said the proposed release was a strategic decision aimed at sustaining peace accords reached between affected communities and armed groups operating in various parts of the state. He said the agreements had already produced measurable results.
Muazu explained that the peace arrangements involved no fewer than 15 local government areas and had contributed to a significant reduction in attacks. According to him, the process also led to the release of about 1,000 abducted persons from different communities.
He said the primary objective of the government was to protect lives and restore stability, arguing that the release of the suspects should be viewed within the broader context of conflict resolution. Muazu compared the move to prisoner exchanges that often occur during or after armed conflicts.
According to the commissioner, such exchanges are not unusual in global conflict history. He cited examples from Nigeria’s civil war and negotiations involving Boko Haram, stating that peace-building efforts sometimes require difficult decisions.
Muazu also dismissed claims that the move violated the law, insisting that the Ministry of Justice and the judiciary were acting within their legal powers. He added that individuals or groups dissatisfied with the decision had the right to seek legal redress through the courts.
The controversy intensified after Sahara Reporters published a letter issued by the Katsina State Ministry of Justice and addressed to the Chief Judge of the state. The letter requested the involvement of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee to facilitate the release of the suspects.
The document, signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Abdur-Rahman Umar, stated that a list of 48 suspects accused of banditry-related offences had been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice by the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs. It noted that their release was a condition tied to the continuation of the peace agreements reached with armed groups.
The letter further explained that while some of the suspects had been arraigned before the Federal High Court, others were standing trial at magistrates’ courts across the state. Another list containing about 22 inmates facing trial before various high courts in Katsina State was also submitted for possible release under the same arrangement.
The Ministry of Justice urged the Chief Judge to take necessary action, referencing provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Katsina State, 2021, which outlines the powers of the Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee.
Providing details of the impact of the peace deals, Muazu listed figures of abductees released from several local government areas. He said 310 persons were freed in Sabuwa, 125 in Bakori, 60 in Danmusa, 62 in Dutsinma, and 36 in Safana.
Despite the government’s explanation, the plan has attracted strong criticism from rights groups and security analysts. The Network for Justice called on the state government to compensate families of victims affected by bandit attacks.
Its leader, Abdullahi Hassan Kofar Sauri, questioned the safety of victims and witnesses if convicted or accused bandits were released under peace deals. He also raised concerns about the absence of compensation plans for families who lost relatives during attacks.
A security expert, Yahuza Getso, also criticized the initiative, describing it as dangerous and lacking sincerity. He argued that such actions could undermine efforts to combat banditry and project weakness in the face of ongoing security challenges.
The development comes amid a resurgence of attacks in parts of Katsina State. Recently, several communities in Malumfashi Local Government Area were attacked, resulting in multiple deaths and abductions.
As of November last year, 18 out of the 34 local government areas in Katsina State had entered into peace agreements with bandits. While some communities experienced relative calm, others continued to face attacks, raising concerns about the long-term effectiveness of the deals and the decision to release suspects as part of the process.
