Nigeria to Release 70 Terrorists in 'Peace Agreementʼ

Two bandits – one in military camouflage – sit under the shade of a tree at the outskirt of a controlled community in Zurmi, Zamfara, Nigeria [Yusuf Anka/Al Jazeera]

The government of Katsina State, Nigeria, is considering releasing around 70 people involved in terrorism, in accordance with a controversial peace agreement reached with armed groups in the northwest of the country.

An official letter, dated January 2, 2026, and subsequently leaked, from the Ministry of Justice to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, requests the support of the judiciary to facilitate these releases, deeming them essential to upholding the agreements.

The proposal concerns 48 suspects, most of whom are awaiting trial in lower courts, as well as 22 others facing charges in higher courts. The Commissioner for Internal Security, Nasir Muazu, defends the measure, pointing out that the agreements which cover at least 15 local government areas have already led to the release of nearly 1,000 hostages.

He compares these releases to the historic prisoner exchanges that occurred during the Nigerian civil war and the negotiations with Boko Haram, arguing that such measures are common practice for consolidating peace after conflict.

This decision has drawn serious criticism from Nigerians, legal experts, and civil society, who fear that releasing individuals implicated in serious crimes such as kidnapping and murder could undermine justice, encourage crime, and threaten long-term security.

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s administration insists that this strategy prioritizes public safety and the release of hostages in a region long plagued by banditry. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is considering the request amid growing public debate about the balance between peace and accountability.