By faith Chondol
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), and the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) have expressed strong opposition to a reported plan by the Katsina State Government to release about 70 suspected and convicted bandits under ongoing peace initiatives.
The opposition followed the circulation of a leaked letter dated January 2, 2026, from the Katsina State Ministry of Justice. The document, marked “Secret” and addressed to the Chief Judge of the state, reportedly requested the involvement of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) to facilitate the release of the suspects as part of peace agreements with armed groups operating in affected local government areas.
According to information contained in the letter, the individuals listed include 48 suspects currently awaiting trial in Magistrate Courts and 22 others whose cases are before High Courts in the state.
Reacting to the development, CAN’s Northern Secretary-General and Chairman of the Northern Christian Elders Forum, Elder Sunday Oibe, described the proposed release as irresponsible and dangerous. He warned that freeing individuals accused of violent crimes could encourage further criminality and weaken public confidence in the justice system. Oibe also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and stop the plan, stressing that government must prioritize the protection of lives and accountability for crimes committed.
The Middle Belt Forum, through its spokesperson Luka Binniyat, also condemned the move, describing it as a threat to national security. He argued that releasing suspected bandits trivializes the suffering of victims, including families who lost loved ones and communities displaced by violence. According to him, justice should not be sacrificed in the name of peace.
Similarly, the Coalition of Northern Groups rejected any comparison between the planned release and wartime prisoner exchanges. The group’s National Coordinator, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, maintained that bandits are criminals and not legitimate combatants. He warned that negotiating peace from a position of weakness could worsen insecurity and called for a firm approach that includes disarmament, rehabilitation, victim compensation, and close monitoring.
However, the Katsina State Government defended the initiative. The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Muazu, explained that the plan is aimed at strengthening community-based peace efforts with groups that have renounced violence in at least 15 local government areas. He added that similar agreements in the past had led to the release of over 1,000 abducted persons, contributing to relative calm in some areas.
Despite the government’s explanation, critics insist that lasting peace cannot be achieved without justice, accountability, and the rule of law, warning that the proposed release could pose serious risks to public safety.
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