In a subtle justification for a request to release some arrested bandits in the state, Katsina commissioner of internal security and home affairs, Nasir Muazu Danmusa, has said prisoner swap is not new in conflict resolution process.
Nasir Danmusa, who spoke in an exclusive interview with DCL Hausa on Saturday, said several instances of prisoner swaps were recorded in Nigeria and beyond as parts of efforts to attain peace.
Danmusa said bandits have since released over 800 abducted victims from at least 10 local government areas in the state after their negotiations with residents.
The commissioner was responding to questions on a letter published by Sahara Reporters on Friday that alleged that the state government had requested for the release of 70 arrested bandits as part of the demands made by various bandits’ groups during peace deals with local authorities in the state.
Sahara Reporters said the State Director of Public Prosecution, Abdurahman Umar, in a letter to the State Chief Judge asked for a process for the release of the bandits.
“According to the letter, 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 newspaper reported.
Since January last year, 21 CENTURY CHRONICLE reports that local authorities in the state have been engaged in peace negotiations with bandits as attacks intensified.
As at October, Batsari, Jibia, Safana, Danmusa, Kurfi, Dutsin Ma, Kankara, Malumfashi, Faskari, Dandume, Bakori, Sabuwa, Matazu, Musawa, Kankia, Batagarawa and Charanci areas have all entered into peace deals with bandits.
It’s not unusual
In the Hausa interview monitored by 21st CENTURY CHRONICLE, Nasir Danmusa said most conflicts in the world ends in dialogue.
“Worldwide, conflicts are always like this. When there’s negotiation, demands are made by the actors involved and prisoner swap is the most commonly known demand. The sides involved would asked for the release of their people who have been arrested or abducted.
“In Nigeria, after the civil war, prisoner swap was also did between Nigerian government and the rebels (Biafra). Even in the Boko Haram crisis, prisoner swap is also involved. When the Chibok girls were abducted, Boko Haram fighters were released before the girls regained their freedom. This is normal in conflicts,” he said in the Hausa Language.
The commissioner noted that during the peace meetings between bandits and local authorities, the bandits agreed to release all captives in their hideouts, a promise he said they’ve redeemed.
“During the peace meetings, the repented bandits promised to release all captives. 36 victims have been released in Safana. This has been reported especially in the social media. In Kurfi, they released 42 people, in Sabuwa they released 310, in Faskari, they released 136 people. In Danmusa they’ve released 60 people while in Malumfashi, they’ve released 36 and 28 for Musawa.
“The bandits have released 33 people in Matazu and 62 in Dutsin Ma area. 31 people abducted from Jibia were also released. The bandits also released 125 people abducted from Bakori. This is a very transparent process.”
According to the commissioner, the bandits now have access to local markets for business transactions, visit health care centres to seek for medical attention.
Nasiru Danmusa said he is confident that the judiciary would be deligent in undertaking its responsibilities.
“The Ministry of Justice and the High Court would never do anything that goes contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian laws. They’ll be guided by laws. Aggrieved persons not satisfied can appeal the decision. It’s not a new process,” he said.
