The Katsina State Government has explained that the release of 70 persons suspected to be involved in banditry was part of a broader peace agreement reached with repentant bandits across several troubled communities in the state.
The explanation was given by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasir Muazu, during an interview with DCL Hausa, where he said the decision was taken to consolidate ongoing peace efforts and encourage the release of abducted victims.
Muazu said the peace accord, entered into by no fewer than 15 local government areas affected by insecurity, had already led to the release of about 1,000 kidnapped persons by repentant bandits operating in different parts of the state.
According to him, the release of the 70 detainees was comparable to prisoner exchanges often witnessed during and after conflicts, stressing that such measures were aimed at restoring peace rather than undermining justice.
An official letter that surfaced last week had revealed that the state government initiated steps to secure the release of the suspects who were facing criminal trials. The letter, first reported by Sahara Reporters, was dated January 2, 2026, marked “Secret,” and issued by the Ministry of Justice to the Chief Judge of Katsina State.
Signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Abdur-Rahman Umar, the letter stated that the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee was requested to intervene to facilitate the release of the suspects as part of the peace agreement.
The document disclosed that a list containing the names of 48 suspects accused of banditry-related offences was submitted by the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, while a separate list of about 22 inmates standing trial before various High Courts in the state was also forwarded for the same purpose.
The Ministry of Justice noted that while some of the suspects had been arraigned before the Federal High Court, many others were still awaiting trial at Magistrate Courts across the state. It added that the request was made under the powers granted to the Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee by Section 371(2) of the Katsina State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2021.
Reacting to public outrage that followed the development, Muazu said the peace deal had delivered tangible results, citing the release of abductees from several local government areas, including Safana, Kurfi, Sabuwa, Faskari, Danmusa, Malumfashi, Musawa, Matazu, Dutsinma, Jibia and Bakori.
He said, “World over, after wars, prisoner exchanges usually take place. Even during Nigeria’s civil war and the Boko Haram conflict, prisoners were released after agreements were reached. What matters is achieving peace.”
The commissioner maintained that the actions of the Ministry of Justice and the courts did not violate any law, adding that anyone dissatisfied with the process was free to seek redress through the courts.
