The Katsina state government has defended its decision to release 70 suspected bandits arrested in the state despite a Federal Government policy of “no negotiation” with terrorists.
The state government said that it released the 70 suspected bandits to strategically consolidate community-led security efforts.
Speaking on the development, Katsina State’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Muazu, defended the decision by likening it to historical wartime negotiations.
According to Muazu, the Katsina government peace deal is a response to the demands of repentant groups who have already demonstrated good faith. He said that over 1,000 abducted persons have been released by these armed groups across 15 local government areas, including Sabuwa, Safana, and Faskari, as a direct result of these local accords.
The commissioner emphasized that the release of the 70 suspected bandits was a “condition precedent” for the continuation of these peace accords. He cited historical precedents, such as the Nigerian Civil War and more recent negotiations involving Boko Haram and the Chibok girls, to justify the swap.
He said banditry remains a crime under Nigerian law, insisting that the peace process driven by affected communities has prioritized hostage release and stability over prolonged detention.
He said: “People know that normally, after a war, there are a lot of changes, so people negotiate and agree to release the people.
“‘If you can release our people, we too will release yours’. It happens after wars. Even here in Nigeria during the civil war, a lot of people were released from both parties, and even Boko Haram members were released. Even those Chibok girls who were released. So, whether it’s good or bad, it’s not new in the history of war and peace.
“Both kidnappers and Boko Haram members are doing the wrong thing. According to Nigerian law, it’s a crime. And here in Katsina, it’s both people and the bandits that negotiated and agreed we followed due process at least 15 steps before finalising.
“They agreed to release all the remaining people whom they had kidnapped. In Safana LGA, they already released 36 people, Kurmi 42, Sabuwa 310, Faskari 136, Dan Musa 60, Manunfashi 36, Musawa 28, Matazu 33, Dutsinma 62, Jibiya 31, and Bakori 125. It happened openly and was even posted on social media.
“And also both parties agreed that the bandits can now go to markets, hospitals, and do what they want freely. The negotiation is between them and the people, and they have already released almost 1,000 people in Katsina state.
“They agreed to be at peace. I think what we should do now is to be prayerful for peace. Now Jibiya, Batsari, Safana, Dan Musa, Sabuwa, Faskari, Dan Dume, Bakori, Musawa, Matazu, Kurfi, Dutsinma, and other places are now at peace. What we should do is to thank God.”
The controversy first erupted when a leaked document, marked “SECRET” and dated January 2, 2026, surfaced online. The letter, issued by the Ministry of Justice and addressed to the State Chief Judge, requested the intervention of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC).
The state maintained that the Katsina government peace deal operated within the bounds of the law. The government cited Section 371(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Katsina State, 2021. The list included 48 suspects awaiting trial in various magistrates’ courts and 22 inmates facing trial before high courts.
Critics and civil society organizations (CSOs) have expressed concern that releasing suspects could embolden criminal networks and deny justice to victims.
The release of the 70 suspected bandits also comes after President Bola Tinubu had declared that his administration won’t tolerate negotiation with terrorists. The President had also designated kidnappers, armed groups, bandits, and even financiers as bandits.
