EXPOSED: Nigerian Government Frees Dozens Of Bandits
The Katsina State Government has defended its decision to initiate the release of dozens of individuals suspected of involvement in banditry, describing the move as part of ongoing efforts to sustain peace agreements with armed groups operating across the state.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Nasir Muazu, said the release of the suspects was aimed at consolidating peace accords already reached between affected communities and repentant bandits in several local government areas.
Muazu made the clarification during an interview with DCL Hausa on Saturday, following public outrage over a leaked government letter requesting judicial intervention to facilitate the release of the suspects.
According to him, the peace agreement, which covers at least 15 local government areas, has already yielded positive results, including the release of about 1,000 people abducted during bandit attacks.
He likened the move to wartime prisoner exchanges, stating: “All over the world, after wars, prisoner exchanges usually take place. During Nigeria’s civil war, prisoners were exchanged, just as it happened during negotiations involving Boko Haram.”
A letter dated January 2, 2026, and marked “SECRET”, surfaced online last week, revealing that the Katsina State Government had commenced steps to secure the release of suspected bandits currently facing criminal trials.
The document, earlier reported by Naija News House, was issued by the Katsina State Ministry of Justice and addressed to the Chief Judge of the state. It was signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Abdur-Rahman Umar.
The letter disclosed that a list of 48 suspects accused of various banditry-related offences had been submitted to the Ministry of Justice by the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs. Their release was described as a condition for sustaining the peace accord between frontline local government areas and the armed groups.
It further noted that while some of the suspects had already been arraigned before the Federal High Court, others were still in detention awaiting trial at various magistrate courts across the state.
In addition, another list containing about 22 inmates standing trial in different high courts in Katsina State was also forwarded for possible release under the same arrangement.
The Ministry of Justice 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 Katsina State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2021.
Responding to criticism, Muazu maintained that the peace initiative has produced tangible outcomes, with abducted victims already freed in local government areas such as Sabuwa, Safana, Kurfi, Faskari, Danmusa, Bakori, and Dutsinma.
He also defended the actions of the Ministry of Justice and the judiciary, insisting that no law was breached in the process.
“Anyone dissatisfied with the process is free to seek redress through the courts,” Muazu added.
