The Katsina State Government has clarified its decision to initiate the release of 70 individuals suspected of involvement in banditry, stating that the move is aimed at sustaining an ongoing peace agreement with armed groups operating across the state.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Nasir Muazu, said the initiative is part of broader efforts to consolidate peace agreements already reached between affected communities and repentant bandits in several local government areas.
Muazu made the clarification on Saturday during an interview with DCL Hausa, while responding to public reactions following the leak of a government letter seeking judicial intervention to facilitate the release of the suspects.
According to him, the peace deal, which covers at least 15 local government areas, has already yielded significant results, including the release of about 1,000 persons who were abducted during bandit attacks.
He likened the proposed release of the suspects to prisoner exchanges that often occur after conflicts, noting that such measures are not unusual.
“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,” Muazu said.
The controversy followed the circulation of a letter dated January 2, 2026, and marked “SECRET,” which revealed that the state government had commenced steps to secure the release of suspected bandits currently facing criminal trials.
First reported by Vanguard, the document was issued by the Katsina State Ministry of Justice and addressed to the Chief Judge of the state. The letter was signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Abdur-Rahman Umar.
It disclosed 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, the letter stated, was a condition for the continuation of the peace accord between frontline local government areas and the bandits.
The document further explained that while some of the suspects had been arraigned before the Federal High Court, others were still in detention awaiting trial at different magistrate 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 urged the Chief Judge to take “necessary action,” citing the powers of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee as provided under Section 371(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Katsina State, 2021.
Addressing criticisms over the decision, Muazu stressed that the peace deal has produced tangible outcomes, with abducted persons already released in several local government areas, including Sabuwa, Safana, Kurfi, Faskari, Danmusa, Bakori and Dutsinma.
He also defended the actions of the Ministry of Justice and the judiciary, insisting that no laws were violated in the process.
“Anyone dissatisfied with the process is free to seek redress through the courts,” the commissioner added.
