January 12, (THEWILL) — The Katsina State Government has defended its decision to facilitate the release of 70 suspected bandits, describing the move as a strategic step aimed at consolidating community-led peace agreements and restoring lasting security across the state.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu Danmusa, explained the government’s position during an interview with DCL Hausa on Monday, January 12, 2026, amid public outrage following the leakage of an official document detailing the release.
Mu’azu explained that the initiative is part of a broader reconciliation framework that prioritizes peace-building. He noted that the strategy has already yielded measurable outcomes, including the release of nearly 1,000 abducted persons from various bandit camps.
According to the Commissioner, these negotiations were driven primarily by the affected communities themselves, with the state government acting as a facilitator while ensuring that a 15-step procedural due process was followed before any agreement was finalized.
Responding to criticisms that the release undermines the rule of law, Mu’azu compared the initiative to post-conflict reconciliation and prisoner exchange processes adopted globally.
He cited Nigeria’s post-civil war reconciliation and past negotiations with Boko Haram, such as those that led to the release of the Chibok schoolgirls, as historical precedents.
“Normally, after wars, negotiations take place and people are released on both sides. It is not new,” he stated.
The Commissioner acknowledged that while banditry and kidnapping remain serious crimes, the repentant bandits involved in this pact committed to releasing all remaining abductees as a condition of the deal.
He listed several local government areas where successful releases have already occurred, including Safana, Sabuwa, Faskari, Dan Musa, Malumfashi, and Jibiya.
The peace pact also grants these individuals the opportunity to reintegrate into community life, allowing them to access markets and healthcare facilities under local supervision.
Mu’azu claimed that the initiative has already resulted in relative peace in formerly volatile areas such as Batsari and Dutsin-Ma.
He urged residents to support the peace process and remain prayerful, expressing confidence that sustained dialogue and community cooperation remain the most viable path toward entrenching permanent security across Katsina State.
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