The Katsina State Government has defended its controversial plan to facilitate the release of 70 persons facing trial for alleged involvement in banditry, insisting the move is aimed at consolidating peace agreements reached with armed groups terrorising communities across the state.
Naijaonpoint reports that the decision has sparked widespread outrage following the emergence of a leaked government letter seeking judicial intervention to secure the release of the suspects currently undergoing prosecution in various courts in the state.
Justifying the move, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Muazu, said the planned release was part of efforts to sustain peace accords reached between affected communities and what he described as ‘repentant bandits.’
Muazu disclosed this in an interview with DCL Hausa on Saturday, stressing that the peace agreements had yielded tangible results, including the release of about 1,000 abducted persons.
According to him, no fewer than 15 local government areas were involved in the peace arrangements, which he said significantly reduced attacks and led to the freedom of kidnapped residents.
He said, “The peace agreements have resulted in the release of about 1,000 abducted persons across several communities.”
Defending the decision further, Muazu likened the proposed release of the suspects to prisoner exchanges often carried out during and after wars.
“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 said.
“The issue is not whether an offence was committed or not, but ensuring peace. Prisoners’ exchange is not a new thing in the history of war and peace.”
The commissioner maintained that neither the Ministry of Justice nor the courts had violated any law, adding that those dissatisfied with the decision were free to seek legal redress.
Naijaonpoint reports that the controversy followed the publication of a letter by Sahara Reporters, issued by the Katsina State Ministry of Justice and addressed to the Chief Judge of the state.
The letter requested the intervention of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee to facilitate the release of the suspects.
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 of Justice by the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs.
According to the letter, the proposed release was to serve as “one of the conditions precedent for the continuance of the peace accord deal signed between the frontline local governments and the bandits.”
It further noted that while some of the suspects had been arraigned before the Federal High Court, many were still facing trial at various magistrates’ courts across the state.
Another list containing about 22 inmates standing trial before different high courts in Katsina State was also submitted for possible release under the same peace arrangement.
The ministry urged the Chief Judge to take “necessary action,” citing Section 371(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Katsina State, 2021, which outlines the powers of the Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee.
LGAs, Figures Of Released Abductees
Providing a breakdown of the impact of the peace deals, Muazu listed the number of abductees released from several local government areas as follows: Sabuwa (310), Bakori (125), Danmusa (60), Dutsinma (62) and Safana (36).
He insisted the government’s action was driven purely by the need to protect lives and restore stability in troubled communities.
A list obtained by Katsina Times, an online newspaper in the state, revealed that a female suspect is among the 70 bandits pencilled for release.
Some of the names on the list include Hadiza Dije Hauwa’u from Safana, Gambo Zubairu Faskari, Muntari Yusuf Safana, Yakubu Alhaji Ardo, Tukur Amadu (Liman), Idi Salisu Gaddi, Abdulhayatu Jabiru, Ya’u Buhari and Amadu Rufa’i Anare.
Victims’ Families Must Be Compensated – Rights group
However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from rights groups and security experts.
Speaking with Daily Trust, the head of Network for Justice, Abdullahi Hassan Kofar Sauri, called on the government to compensate families of victims affected by bandits’ attacks.
“It is unfortunate that the Katsina State Government and the Federal Government gave the impression that they were not involved in negotiating with bandits,” he said.
“The convicted bandits are in the custody of the government. They are in correctional centres. They have been tried and convicted and are meant to serve their sentences.”
He questioned the safety of victims and witnesses, adding, “If someone was convicted for murder or arson and is suddenly released under a so-called peace deal, how do you expect victims or witnesses to feel safe?”
He also queried the absence of compensation plans for victims’ families, saying, “What happens to the families of those killed? How do you compensate them appropriately?”
Also reacting, a security expert, Yahuza Getso, described the plan to release the bandits as dangerous to Katsina State and the country.
According to him, the move “lacks sincerity and cannot hold water.”
“I can reliably tell you that I know of a sitting governor from the North-West who recently distributed 25 motorcycles each to volunteers and bandits,” he said.
“Now, tell me where the sincerity is. This portrays weakness and insincerity in the fight against banditry.”
The development is coming amid a resurgence of bandits’ attacks in parts of Katsina State.
Last Monday, bandits invaded communities in Malumfashi Local Government Area, killing eight persons and kidnapping several others.
The affected villages include Unguwar Alhaji Barau, Gidan Dan Mai-gizo and Gidan Hazo.
As of November last year, 18 out of the 34 local government areas in the state had entered into peace deals with bandits.
While some areas recorded relative calm, others have continued to suffer attacks, raising fresh concerns over the effectiveness and sustainability of the peace agreements.
Under the deals, community leaders and traditional rulers pledged to uphold the terms, while bandits agreed to cease attacks and release captives, a promise critics say remains largely unfulfilled.