Recently, Katsina state government released a statement indicating that it had initiated steps to secure the release of the suspected bandits who were facing criminal trials.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that the letter was first dated January 2, 2026, and classified as “SECRET,” and issued by the state Ministry of Justice and addressed to the Chief Judge of the state.
Further check also showed that the letter indicated that the ministry requested the intervention of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) to facilitate the release of the detained suspects.
The letter which was signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Abdur-Rahman Umar, Esq disclosed that a list containing the names of 48 individuals 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, it further stated that the proposed release of the suspects is aimed at “facilitating their release from detention, as one of the conditions precede
nt for the continuance of the peace accord deal signed between the frontline local governments and the bandits.”
The Ministry of Justice further revealed that while a handful of the suspects have been arraigned before the Federal High Court, most remain in detention awaiting trial at various Magistrate Courts across the state.
The letter also disclosed that a separate list of about 22 inmates currently facing trial before different High Courts in the state was submitted, with the aim of having them released under the same peace arrangement.
However, the Ministry urged the Chief Judge to take “necessary action,” stating that the matter falls within the statutory powers of the Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee under Section 371(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Katsina State, 2021.
Defending the state government decision, the commissioner said the repentant bandits had released about 1,000 persons during the peace deal, and that the release of the 70 detained persons was like a “prisoner exchange”.
The letter partly reads thus; “For example, in Safana Local Government Area, they (repentant bandits) released 36 persons; in Kurfi, they released 42 persons; in Sabuwa, they released 310 persons; in Faskari, they released 36 persons; in Danmusa, they released 60 persons.
“In Malumfashi, they released 36 persons; in Musawa, they released 28 persons; in Matazu, they released 33 persons. In Dutsinma, they released 62 persons; in Jibia, they released 31 persons; in Bakori, they released 125 persons.”
The commissioner added that, “World over, everyone knows that after a war is fought, there are usually prisoner exchanges. If you take Nigeria, for example, during the civil war, many prisoners were set free and exchanged between the Nigerian side and the Biafran side.
“If you look at the issue of Boko Haram, prisoners were also released after an agreement was reached. Even the Chibok girls that were released also saw some Boko Haram members who were in prison set free too.
“Both warring groups have prisoners they set free for the other. So, it is not an issue of whether an offence had been committed or not, so long as there is peace. The issue is that prisoner exchange is not a new thing in the history of war and peace.”
The commissioner further added that what the Ministry of Justice and the High Court did did not violate existing laws in the country, and that anyone not satisfied can always go to the courts to seek redress.
Nevertheless, since the release of this memo by Katsina state, there has been huge reactions as to why such decision should be taken at a time like this.
For almost a decade now, Katsina state has been on the jaws of bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements, wreaking inexplicable havocs in the state in particular and the country in general.
For some months now, there has been nefarious activities of Lakurawa terrorist group in Jibia area of the state.
Releasing these 70 bandits for whatever reason will amount to compromising the efforts of the military in combating the activities of these criminal elements, not only in the state but equally throughout the nation.
Experts frown at the decision
Joseph Nwigwe is a retired Assistant Superintendent of police and a security expert based in Enugu.
He told our reporter that such move by the government of Katsina state is a square peg in a round hole.
” I am totally not in support of releasing these criminal elements to the society in the name of exchanging them with prisoners of war.
” Nigeria is not in war with any non state actor. Releasing them is a mark of security inefficiency on the part of our security architecture.”
On the implications of such decision, Mr. Nwigwe told WITHIN NIGERIA that ” this will go a long way in dampening the morale of our security outfits of various formations in the fight against terrorism and banditry in the country.
” I urge Katsina state government to reconsider decision on this matter and do the needful by reversing their decision.”
Another security expert, Jonathan Ugwu said that “in as much as I’m against the overbearing of the West, particularly United State of America, it’s high time we ask for their full interventions.
“This is because these terrible people we have at the affair are worse in somewhat than even the bandits. Now, it’s much more clearer that those misguided elements are working for the government who turn a blind eyes at the victims and thier family.
“Security personnels that were killed as a result of physical combat with the same elements government of Katsina is set to release into the society were not considered anyway.
” In summary, this is a misguided decision which must be reversed with immediate effect to avoid collateral damage on the society.”
Bandits attack wedding convoy, kill 2, abduct others in Katsina state
Following the said outrage that greeted the planned release of 70 bandits in the state, on Monday, suspected bandits have reportedly attacked a wedding convoy in Unguwar Nagunda community, Kankara local government area of Katsina State, killing at least two persons and injuring several others, including the bride, amid ongoing efforts by the state government to consolidate what it described as an “existing peace” deal with repentant bandits.
It was gathered that the attack, which occurred on Sunday night, also led to the abduction of an unspecified number of wedding guests, according to local sources.
A security source revealed on Monday that residents heard heavy gunfire and were thrown into panic when the assailants stormed the community.
“As of this morning, families are still trying to confirm how many people were abducted,” the source said.