The Katsina State Government has stepped forward to justify its move to release 70 individuals suspected of banditry, describing the decision as a strategic necessity to uphold a fragile peace accord with armed groups.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Nasir Muazu, clarified that the judicial intervention aims to solidify agreements reached between terror-stricken communities and “repentant” bandits across at least 15 local government areas.
The government’s explanation follows intense public scrutiny sparked by a leaked “SECRET” letter dated January 2, 2026. According to the document, the release of these suspects is a primary condition for the continuation of the current peace deal—a deal that the government claims has already saved lives.
Muazu noted that this unconventional approach has directly resulted in the freedom of approximately 1,000 people previously held in captivity by bandits. He framed the move not as a bypass of justice, but as a diplomatic maneuver common in conflict resolution.
“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 stated.
The controversy began when a confidential letter from the Katsina State Ministry of Justice surfaced online. Signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Abdur-Rahman Umar, and addressed to the State’s Chief Judge, the letter detailed two lists of suspects:
– 48 suspects currently facing various banditry-related charges.
– 22 inmates facing trial before different high courts in the state.
Read also: “Only Tinubu can fire me”, Wike says, taunts political adversaries
The ministry urged the Chief Judge to take “necessary action,” invoking the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Katsina State, 2021. Specifically, it cited Section 371(2), which outlines the powers of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee.
While many Nigerians fear that releasing accused criminals undermines the rule of law and denies victims closure, Commissioner Muazu argues that the benefits are evident in frontline local governments such as Sabuwa, Safana, Kurfi, Faskari, Danmusa, Bakori, and Dutsinma.
Addressing the backlash, the Commissioner maintained that the state is operating within legal bounds: “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.”
He further noted that the actions taken by the Ministry of Justice and the judiciary do not violate existing statutes. Regarding those who find the peace deal unacceptable, Muazu added: Any one dissatisfied with the process was free to seek redress through the courts.”
The post Katsina defends release of 70 banditry suspects to secure peace appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.
