Katsina State Government has justified its reason for initiating steps to secure the release of 70 persons suspected to have been involved in banditry-related offences. He said the release of the 70 suspects was similar to what occurs during war periods, where fighting groups exchange prisoners. “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 that, “World over, everyone knows that after a war is fought, there are usually prisoner exchanges.

Source: The Guardian January 11, 2026 20:49 UTC