According to the government, the decision is aimed at consolidating peace between communities affected by insecurity in 15 local government areas and repentant bandits. Officials said similar strategies are often adopted in conflict situations globally to achieve lasting peace.
The government disclosed that the peace arrangement has already led to the release of more than 1,000 persons previously held captive by bandits during various attacks across the state.
An official letter dated January 2, 2026, detailing the plan was recently made public. The letter, marked “SECRET,” was issued by the Katsina State Ministry of Justice and addressed to the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Musa Abubakar.
In the letter, the Ministry of Justice requested the intervention of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) to facilitate the release of the suspects who are currently in detention over banditry-related offences.
The correspondence, signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Abdur-Rahman Umar, revealed that a list of 48 suspects facing various banditry-related charges had been forwarded to the ministry by the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs.
According to the letter, the release of the suspects was identified as a key condition for the continuation of the peace accord signed between frontline local governments and the bandits.
The government further stated that while some of the suspects are standing trial before the Federal High Court, others remain in detention awaiting trial at various magistrates’ courts across Katsina State.
Umar also disclosed that an additional list of about 22 inmates currently facing trial at different high courts across the state had been submitted, with a request for their release under the same peace agreement.
The state government maintained that the request falls within the statutory powers of the Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee as provided under Section 371(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Katsina State, 2021.
Reacting to the controversy surrounding the decision, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasiru Danmusa, said no law was violated. He advised anyone dissatisfied with the decision to seek legal redress through the appropriate channels.
The government disclosed that the peace arrangement has already led to the release of more than 1,000 persons previously held captive by bandits during various attacks across the state.
An official letter dated January 2, 2026, detailing the plan was recently made public. The letter, marked “SECRET,” was issued by the Katsina State Ministry of Justice and addressed to the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Musa Abubakar.
In the letter, the Ministry of Justice requested the intervention of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) to facilitate the release of the suspects who are currently in detention over banditry-related offences.
The correspondence, signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Abdur-Rahman Umar, revealed that a list of 48 suspects facing various banditry-related charges had been forwarded to the ministry by the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs.
According to the letter, the release of the suspects was identified as a key condition for the continuation of the peace accord signed between frontline local governments and the bandits.
The government further stated that while some of the suspects are standing trial before the Federal High Court, others remain in detention awaiting trial at various magistrates’ courts across Katsina State.
Umar also disclosed that an additional list of about 22 inmates currently facing trial at different high courts across the state had been submitted, with a request for their release under the same peace agreement.
The state government maintained that the request falls within the statutory powers of the Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee as provided under Section 371(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Katsina State, 2021.
Reacting to the controversy surrounding the decision, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasiru Danmusa, said no law was violated. He advised anyone dissatisfied with the decision to seek legal redress through the appropriate channels.
