JUST IN; Govt defends planned release of seventy suspected Bandits
JUST IN; Govt defends planned release of seventy suspected Bandits
The Katsina State Government has defended its plan to secure the release of dozens of people accused of banditry, saying the move is tied to a broader peace process aimed at ending violence across the state.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Muazu, said the initiative is part of an agreement reached with armed groups and affected communities in several local government areas.
According to him, the goal is to preserve fragile peace deals that have already yielded results.
Muazu made the clarification on Saturday during an interview with DCL Hausa, following public outrage over a leaked government document seeking judicial approval for the release of some suspects.
He said the peace framework, which covers at least 15 local councils, has already led to the freedom of about 1,000 people previously abducted by bandits.
The commissioner compared the move to post-conflict prisoner swaps, noting that such arrangements have been used globally and even in Nigeria’s past conflicts.
The controversy erupted after a January 2, 2026 letter marked “SECRET” appeared online. First reported by Vanguard, the document was issued by the Katsina State Ministry of Justice to the Chief Judge of the state, outlining steps to free suspects currently facing trial.
The letter, signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Abdur-Rahman Umar, said 48 people accused of banditry-related crimes had been nominated for release by the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs as part of the peace deal.
It explained that some of them were being tried at the Federal High Court, while others were in custody before various magistrate courts.
It also revealed that an additional list of about 22 suspects standing trial in different high courts had been submitted for possible release under the same arrangement.
The Ministry of Justice asked the Chief Judge to act under the powers of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee, as provided in Section 371(2) of the Katsina State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2021.
Muazu said the agreement has already reduced violence and led to the release of captives in areas such as Sabuwa, Safana, Kurfi, Faskari, Danmusa, Bakori and Dutsinma.
He insisted that both the Ministry of Justice and the courts acted within the law, adding that anyone unhappy with the process could challenge it through legal channels.
