Afenifere, Arewa Consultative Forum, Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), and others, have expressed serious misgivings against the plans by the Katsina State Government to free 70 bandits as part of measures to patch up a floundering peace pact with bandit leaders.
The groups said it would amount to recklessness and a threat to national security whould the paln goes through.
They urged the Federal Government to stop the ‘provocative action.’
Similarly, religious and community leaders in the state have rejected the proposed amnesty for the bandits, saying it portends danger to the state.
Speaking on the matter, Afenifere’s Organising Secretary, Abagun Omololu, said the state government was appeasing the bandits just he described the move as reckless, unconstitutional and a grave threat to national security.
“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.
Omololu said the state governments has no power to negotiate with terrorists, particularly without full disarmament, accountability and judicial closure.
He said “we are deeply concerned that certain governors and local government chairmen have arrogated to themselves powers they neither possess nor are constitutionally equipped to exercise. Negotiating with terrorists, let alone granting them freedom without accountability, emboldens criminality, undermines the rule of law and places innocent Nigerians at grave risk.
“Negotiations with terrorists, where unavoidable, must be led exclusively by the Federal Government through the military and duly constituted security agencies, and must culminate in the unconditional surrender of arms, verifiable disengagement from violence, and lawful reintegration processes. Anything short of this is a betrayal of the state’s primary duty to protect life and property.”
He warned that insecurity in one state could easily spread to others.
Afinifere counterpart in the north, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said the plan could embolden criminal groups and weaken the state’s authority.
ACF’s spokesperson, Prof. Tukur Muhammad Baba, called for restrain by the Katsina State Government, saying “banditry constitutes heinous crimes with devastating impacts on communities. Any decision to release suspected perpetrators must place justice for victims at the centre.”
The amnesty, he said, would be misinterpreted by criminal elements, warning that “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 said there are broader implications in the plan, adding that “there is the risk of a contagion effect, where similar demands are made in other states. Security is a federal responsibility, and it is important to know whether the Federal Government was adequately consulted,” he said.
According to the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) the planned amnesty is condemnable and is dangerous capitulation disguised as peace-building.
CNG National Coordinator, Jamilu Charanchi, said 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 rejected comparisons between the release of bandits and wartime prisoner exchanges, arguing that “Nigeria is not engaged in a conventional war with a recognised adversary. Bandits are criminal terrorists who have murdered citizens, raped women, razed communities and displaced families. Treating them as negotiating partners without first breaking their capacity for violence undermines the authority of the state.”
The CNG said freeing suspects facing trial as part of peace arrangements was dangerous.
Similarly, religious and community leaders in the state have also rejected the amnesty for the bandits.
A religious leader in the Katsina metropolis, Malam Umar Usman, told the government to rescind 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.
A ward head in the Modoji area of Katsina, Aminu Jafaru, said there could be 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.
A youth leader in Kankara, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said residents were preparing legal action.
“These bandits killed, raped and collected millions in ransom from us. The government cannot just set them free. If this release goes ahead, we will seek redress in court,” he said.
The Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasir Mu’azu Danmusa, has justified the plan, saying the amnesty for bandits would consolidate 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 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 Dutsin-Ma, they released 62 persons, in Jibia, they released 31 persons, in Bakori, they released 125 persons.”
The commissioner said “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 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.
He said the Ministry of Justice and the High Court did not violate existing laws in the country in coming up with the amnesty plan, adding that anyone not satisfied could go to the courts to seek redress.
