Finally, Nigerian government designates bandits as terrorists; phew!

The gazette that officially proscribes the terror group was unfolded on Wednesday.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has now officially declared bandit groups that have been terrorizing mostly Northern Nigeria as terrorists.

he terror groups that have been terrorizing states in the Northwestern part of the country have now been declared terrorists and will be prosecuted according to the Terrorism (Prevention) Act.

The decision to declare the groups terrorists has been long coming, with the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami mentioning earlier in the week that the gazette was being finalized for release.

The Federal High Court of Abuja’s Justice Taiwo Taiwo had granted an ex-parte application made by the Federal Government for groups referred to as ‘Yan Bindiga’ and ‘Yan Ta’adda’ (Hausa words for gunmen and terrorists respectively) to be declared as terrorists. The granted application however was not gazetted.

The document titled, ‘Terrorism (Prevention) Proscription Order Notice, 2021’ is contained in Volume 108 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette and excerpts of it reads;

“Notice is hereby given that by the Order of the Federal High Court Abuja, in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1370/2021 dated 25th November, 2021 as per the schedule to this Notice, the Activities of Yan Bindiga Group, Yan Ta’adda Group and other similar group in Nigeria are declared to be terrorism and illegal in any part of Nigeria, especially in the North West and North-Central Regions of Nigeria and are proscribed, pursuant to sections 1 and 2 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011.

“Consequently the general public is hereby warned that any person or group of persons participating in any manner whatsoever in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intentions or otherwise of the groups referred to in paragraph 1 of this Notice will be violating the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 and liable to prosecution.”

Definitely a step in the right direction. The next step will be how the government now deals with the terrorists, like bandits, or like terrorists? Time will tell!

The country awaits Gumi’s reactions.

Who says our “wails”, “noises” can’t work?