Federal Govt. Officially Declares Bandits Terrorists, Gazette Out
By Yusuf Alli and Eric Ikhiale Abuja, The Nation
Five years after it declared Boko Haram insurgents as terrorists, the Federal Government yesterday officially declared bandits and kidnappers as terrorists.
It issued a gazette on the court order classifying bandits, kidnappers and others as terrorists.
Other offences punishable under the gazette include but not limited to banditry, kidnapping for ransom, kidnapping for marriage, mass abduction of school children and other citizens, cattle rustling, enslavement , imprisonment and severe deprivation of physical liberty.
Those who will face the wrath of the law are perpetrators of torture, rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, other forms of sexual violence, attacks and killings in communities and other commuters and wanton destruction of lives and properties in Nigeria.
According to the Gazette, bandits, anybody or group found guilty of all the offences will face trial under Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011.
The Gazette proscribing bandit groups in the North and others was made on November 25, 2021 but it was unfolded yesterday.
It was titled: “Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No.212 and signed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN).
There were indications that the gazette may be applied to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which has held the Southeast hostage for months, Yoruba nation agitators and all other violent separatist groups.
It reads in part: “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 and Activities of Yan Bindiga Group, Yan Ta`adda Group and other similar groups in Nigeria are declared to be terrorists and illegal in any part of Nigeria, especially in the Northwest and Northcentral regions of Nigeria and are proscribed pursuant to sections 1 and 2 of the same 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.”
“This notice shall be cited as the Terrorism (Prevention) Proscription Order Notice 2021.”
The government clarified that the gazette was based on the ruling of a Federal High Court in a case between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Yan Bindiga Group (first respondent) and Yan Ta‘adda Group(second respondent).
The gazette added: “Upon this amended motion ex parte dated the 8th day of October, 2021 and filed on the 9th day of October 2021 praying for the following reliefs:
An order of this Honourable Court declaring the activities of the 1st Respondent (Yan Bindiga Group, 2nd Respondent (Yan Ta‘adda Group) and other similar groups in any part of Nigeria especially in the Northwest and Northcentral regions of Nigeria as acts of terrorism and illegality.
An order of this Honourable Court proscribing the existence of the 1st respondent (Yan Bindiga Group), 2nd respondent (Yan Ta‘adda Group) and other similar groups in any part of Nigeria especially in the Northwest and Northcentral regions of Nigeria, in any part of Nigeria either in groups or as individuals by whatever names they are called and publishing same in the Official Gazette and two (2) National Dailies.
An order of this Honourable Court proscribing any person or group of persons from participating in any manner whatsoever in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intention or otherwise of the 1st respondent (Yan Bindiga Group) and the 2nd respondent (Yan Ta’adda Group) under any other name or platform however called or described.
An order of this Honourable Court proscribing all other groups in Nigeria by whatever name called with similar objectives as the 1st respondent (Yan Bindiga Group), 2nd respondent (Yan Ta‘adda Group) which include but not limited to banditry, kidnappings for ransom, kidnapping for marriage, mass abduction of school children and other citizens, cattle rustling, enslavement, imprisonment, severe deprivation of physical liberty, torture, rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, other forms of sexual violence, attacks and killings in communities and other commuters and wanton destruction of lives and properties in Nigeria.
“And for such further orders that this Honourable may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”
A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The gazette may apply to IPOB, Yoruba nation agitators and all other violent separatist groups in the country.
“Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 is explicit on those who should face trial under the new Gazette. Even political thugs, Area Boys and those indulging in acts of brigandage are not spared by the law,” the source said.
