By Ogalah Ibrahin
The Katsina State Government has explained why it initiated the release of 70 persons suspected to be involved in banditry, saying the move was part of efforts to sustain an ongoing peace deal with armed groups in the state.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Muazu, said the decision was taken to consolidate peace agreements reached between affected communities and repentant bandits across several local government areas.
Mr Muazu spoke in an interview following public reactions to a leaked government letter requesting judicial intervention to facilitate the release of the suspects.
According to him, the peace deal, which involved at least 15 local government areas, had led to the release of about 1,000 persons abducted during bandit attacks.
He described the release of the suspects as similar to prisoner exchanges that occur during wartime.
Leaked letter
Recall that a letter dated January 2, 2026, and marked “SECRET,” had surfaced online last week, indicating that the state government had initiated steps to secure the release of suspected bandits facing criminal trials.
The letter, first reported by, was issued by the Katsina State Ministry of Justice and addressed to the Chief Judge of the state.
Signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Abdur-Rahman Umar, the letter stated that a list of 48 suspects accused of various banditry-related offences had been forwarded to the ministry by the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs.
According to the letter, the release was intended to serve as a condition for the continuation of the peace accord reached between the frontline local governments and the bandits.
It added that while some of the suspects had been arraigned before the Federal High Court, others were still in detention awaiting trial at various magistrates’ courts across the state.
The document also disclosed that another list of about 22 inmates facing trial before different high courts in Katsina State had been submitted for possible release under the same arrangement.
The ministry urged 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.
Public concern
The move sparked outrage among Nigerians, with concerns raised that releasing suspects accused of serious crimes could undermine the rule of law and deny victims justice.
Govt reacts
Responding to the backlash, Mr Muazu said the peace deal had already produced results, noting that abducted persons were released in several local government areas, including Sabuwa, Safana, Kurfi, Faskari, Danmusa, Bakori, and Dutsinma.
He said, “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 added that the actions of the Ministry of Justice and the courts did not violate any existing laws, stressing that anyone dissatisfied with the process could approach the courts for redress.
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