The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Katsina State has rejected plans by the state government to release 70 suspected bandits currently in custody.
The party described the move as dangerous, unjust, and a grave betrayal of victims of banditry across frontline local government areas in the state.
The state government had in a letter from the Ministry of Justice and dated January 2, 2026, initiated legal processes aimed at securing the release of the 70 detainees.
The letter, signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Abdur-Rahman Umar, requested the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) to facilitate the release of the suspected bandits.
However, the ADC Publicity Secretary in the state, Lawal Tukur-Batagarawa, who addressed journalists on Wednesday in Katsina, warned that freeing the suspects would severely undermine public confidence in the government’s fight against insecurity.
Tukur-Batagarawa said the decision, if carried out, would demoralise security personnel, dishonour officers who have paid the ultimate price in the line of duty, and embolden criminal elements terrorising rural communities in the state.
He said: “As a party, we condemn in the strongest terms the planned release of 70 suspected bandits by the Katsina State Government.
“It is totally unacceptable and irresponsible for any government to free criminals while communities continue to bleed.”