Katsina Government Stands With Bandits’ Release Despite Criticism

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Outrage has poured in from legal practitioners, civil society organizations, victims’ families, and members of the public over the planned release of more than 70 suspects facing banditry charges by the Katsina State Government.

The leaked secret letter, dated January 2, requested the intervention of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) to facilitate the release of the suspects. It was addressed to the Chief Judge of the state and cited Section 371(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Katsina, 2021.

According to the state government, the release of the bandits will foster peace between the local government areas and the armed groups, but critics opposed to this insist that it would rather give rise to high criminal networks.

However, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Muazu, defended the policy when speaking with DCL Hausa, stating that it was part of efforts to consolidate community-driven peace agreements with repentant bandits in several local government areas.

He stressed that the accords had already brought relative calm to areas including Safana, Kurfi, Sabuwa, Faskari, Danmusa, Bakori, Musawa, Matazu, and Dutsinma, where abducted persons were freed.