The Katsina State government has released 70 suspected bandits in the state. While justifying the release of the bandits in an interview with DCL Hausa on Sunday night, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Muazu, said the release of the suspects was aimed at consolidating a peace deal entered into between communities affected by insecurity and repentant bandits.
Muazu said the peace deal, which was entered into by at least 15 Local Government Areas, had seen repentant bandits release about 1,000 persons who were abducted during various bandits’ operations.
He stated that the release of the 70 suspects was similar to what occurs during war periods, where fighting groups exchange prisoners.
The Commissioner who was reacting to criticism over the move, said that the state government initiated steps to secure the release of the suspected bandits who were facing criminal trials.
According to a letter to that effect, the proposed release of the suspects is aimed at “facilitating their release from detention, as one of the conditions precedent for the continuance of the peace accord deal signed between the frontline local governments and the bandits.”
The letter had sparked outrage and concern from Nigerians, with some cautioning against releasing suspects accused of serious crimes such as banditry, as doing so could undermine the rule of law, deny victims justice, and embolden criminal groups.
But in the interview, the commissioner 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.
“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,’ he added.
