The Katsina State Government has explained why it initiated the release of 70 individuals suspected of involvement in banditry, saying the move is part of efforts to sustain an ongoing 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 already reached between affected communities and repentant bandits in several local government areas.
Speaking during an interview with DCL Hausa on Saturday, Muazu addressed public reactions following the circulation of a leaked government letter seeking judicial intervention to facilitate the suspects’ release.
He explained that the peace initiative, which covers at least 15 local government areas, has already resulted in the release of about 1,000 persons previously abducted during bandit attacks.
Muazu compared the release of the suspects to prisoner exchanges that typically follow armed conflicts. According to him, “All over the world, after wars, prisoner exchanges usually take place. During Nigeria’s civil war, prisoners were exchanged, just as it happened in negotiations involving Boko Haram.”
A letter dated January 2, 2026, and marked “SECRET,” surfaced online last week, indicating that the state government had begun steps to secure the release of suspected bandits currently facing criminal trials.
The document, issued by the Katsina State Ministry of Justice and addressed to the Chief Judge of the state, was signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Abdur-Rahman Umar.
The letter revealed that a list of 48 suspects accused of various banditry-related offences had been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice by the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs.
Their proposed release was described as a condition for sustaining the peace agreement between the frontline local government areas and the armed groups.
It was also stated that while some of the suspects had already been arraigned before the Federal High Court, others remained in detention awaiting trial at different magistrates’ courts across the state.
In addition, another list containing about 22 inmates standing trial in various high courts in Katsina State was submitted for possible release under the same peace arrangement.
The Ministry of Justice appealed to the Chief Judge to take “necessary action,” citing the powers of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee under Section 371(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Katsina State, 2021.
Responding to criticisms, Muazu maintained that the peace deal has yielded positive results, noting that abducted persons have already been released in several local government areas, including Sabuwa, Safana, Kurfi, Faskari, Danmusa, Bakori and Dutsinma.
He further defended the roles of the Ministry of Justice and the courts, insisting that no laws were breached in the process. According to him, “Anyone dissatisfied with the process is free to seek redress through the courts.”
