Prominent socio-political organisations, including Afenifere, Arewa Consultative Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Middle Belt Forum, and others, have expressed outrage over a plan by the Katsina State Government to release 70 bandits as part of measures to patch up a floundering peace pact with bandit leaders.
The groups described the move as reckless and a danger to national security, calling on the Federal Government to halt the provocative action.
Also, religious and community leaders in Katsina State voiced strong opposition to the proposed amnesty for the bandits, whom they described as a grave threat to the state.
Katsina State is dealing with a surge in bandit attacks, with over 1,500 civilians killed between 2021 and 2025. Recently, the state government approved the release of 70 suspected bandits as part of a peace deal with armed groups. The move has sparked controversy, with critics arguing it undermines justice and emboldens criminals.
The silence from the government further fueled speculations and public anxiety, particularly in a state that has endured years of violent attacks, kidnappings, and other criminal activities linked to banditry.
However, the government claims the planned release is part of efforts to consolidate peace and secure the freedom of abducted persons. Over 1,000 people have been released through similar negotiations. The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs likened the release to prisoner exchanges during wartime.
Afenifere kicks
Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere’s Organising Secretary, Abagun Omololu, said the proposal amounted to an unacceptable appeasement of violent criminals.
“Afenifere Think Tank unequivocally rejects the reported plan by the Katsina State Government to release seventy bandits under the guise of a so-called peace arrangement. This proposal is reckless, irresponsible and profoundly dangerous to national security,” he said.
ACF expresses concern
The Arewa Consultative Forum expressed similar concerns, warning that the reported plan could embolden criminal groups and weaken the state’s authority.
Speaking in Kaduna, the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, urged caution.
“Banditry constitutes heinous crimes with devastating impacts on communities. Any decision to release suspected perpetrators must place justice for victims at the centre,” he said.
Muhammad-Baba warned that such gestures could be misinterpreted by criminal elements. “The danger is that they may develop a sense of invincibility and feel encouraged to return to criminal activities. Government actions must reflect strength, not weakness,” he added.
Katsina leaders react
Religious and community leaders in Katsina State also voiced strong opposition. A religious leader in Katsina metropolis, Malam Umar Usman, urged the government to reconsider the decision.
“How can we, as religious leaders, support this dangerous move? Those who killed and destroyed communities should face the full wrath of the law. Honestly, we are not in support,” he said.
Similarly, Aminu Jafaru, a ward head in the Modoji area of Katsina, warned of possible reprisals.
“If these bandits are released, they will go after security operatives and those who gave information against them — village heads, ward heads and traditional leaders. Our people believe they will not stop their nefarious activities,” he said.
CNG condemns plan
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) also condemned the planned amnesty, describing it as a dangerous capitulation disguised as peace-building.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Jamilu Charanchi, the coalition rejected the government’s justification for freeing suspected and convicted bandits.
“While CNG recognises the urgent need to end the bloodshed, kidnappings and destruction ravaging Katsina State and the wider North-West, we maintain that peace built on appeasement, judicial compromise and concessions to violent criminals is neither sustainable nor just,” the statement read.
The coalition dismissed comparisons between the release of bandits and wartime prisoner exchanges.
Katsina State Govt
Defending the policy, the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasir Mu’azu Danmusa, said the move was aimed at consolidating the community-driven peace deal.
“At least 15 local government areas entered into peace agreements, and repentant bandits have released about 1,000 abducted persons. The release of the 70 suspects is similar to prisoner exchanges that occur during wars,” he said.
“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, “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 who 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 has been committed or not, so long as there is pace. The issue is that prisoner exchange is not a new thing in the history of war and peace.”
He 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 could go to the courts to seek redress.
The PUNCH
