JUST IN: Court declares bandits as terrorists

The Abuja Federal High Court declared the bandits terrorist.
Taiwo declared the activities of the Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda bandit groups as acts of terrorism based on an ex parte petition filed by the federal government.

Mohammed Abubakar, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who filed the ex parte petition, said President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the ban on the Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda groups and other terrorist groups in the country .

In its affidavits, the federal government said security reports confirmed that the bandits were responsible for the killings, kidnappings, rapes, kidnappings and related criminal acts in the Northeast, Center-North and other parts of the country.

The activities of the Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda groups and other similar groups constitute acts of terrorism which can lead to a collapse of public order and security and pose a threat to national security and the existence of businesses. of Nigeria, ”the government said.

In rendering his ruling, the judge declared the activities of “Yan Bindiga Group” and “Yan Ta’adda Group” and other similar groups in any part of the country, especially in the northwest and the northeast as “acts of terrorism and illegality”.
The court banned the activities of the group and other similar groups in any part of Nigeria, “either in groups or as individuals, whatever their name”.

The judge also issued an order prohibiting any person or group of persons from participating in any way in any form of activity involving or relating to the pursuit of the collective intention or not of the Yan Bindiga group and the group. Yan Ta’adda under any other name or platform, regardless of its name or description.

The court asked the federal government to publish the prohibition order in the official gazette and in two national dailies.
This brings another dimension to the fight against terrorism.

Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, has repeatedly called on the federal government to declare the bandits terrorists.
But Sheikh Ahmad Gumi opposed it, saying it would worsen insecurity in the country.
Gumi had requested amnesty for the armed groups.