Justice Taiwo Taiwo in a ruling on Friday, held that activities of Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda bandit groups, constitute acts of terrorism.

The order was sequel to an ex parte motion the Federal Government filed through the Federal Ministry of Justice.

In an affidavit filed in support of the motion, the FG averred that the intelligence reports affirmed that the bandit groups masterminded several killings, abductions, rapes, kidnappings, and related acts of criminality in the north-east, north-central, and other parts of the country.

According to Channels Television, the groups were equally responsible for the growing cases of banditry, incessant kidnappings for ransom, kidnapping for marriage, mass abductions 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, particularly in the Northwest and Northcentral states in Nigeria.

The Director of Public Prosecution, Abubakar, told the court that perturbed by the actions of the bandits, President Muhammadu Buhari, gave approval for their proscription as a terrorist group.

Justice Taiwo accordingly granted the motions as prayed by declaring the activities of the “Yan Bindiga group, the Yan Ta’adda group and other similar groups in any part of the country, especially in the north-west and the north-central as acts of terrorism and illegality.

The court further outlawed the activities of the groups and other similar groups in any part of Nigeria.

It further made an order restraining “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 Yan Bindiga group and the Yan Ta’adda group under any other name or platform however called or described”.

Justice Taiwo further ordered the FG to publish the proscription order in the official gazette as well as in two national dailies. SOURCE: Channels Television.

Malami: FG Will Follow International Standards In Fighting Banditry, Terrorism

The Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami on Friday said the Federal Government of Nigeria will follow international standards in fighting banditry, terrorism, and other criminal activities in the country.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court Abuja had on  earlier on Friday, proscribed bandit groups as terrorists, pointing out that the activities of Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda bandit groups, constitute acts of terrorism.

The ruling followed an ex parte motion the Federal Government filed through the Federal Ministry of Justice.

Malami in a statement by his media aide, by Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, reiterated the Federal Government’s determination to crush banditry.

He said the government’s commitment has remained unwavering following the recent court ruling that designated bandits’ groups as terrorists’ organisations.

According to him, the declaration is a demonstration of the determination of the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and indeed the Federal Government in doing things in accordance with the rule of law.

“The development is a pointer to the commitment of the Federal Government to adhere to the international standards in respecting the rules of engagement in the fight against terrorism, separatists’ organisations, insurgency and banditry in the country,” Malami was quoted as saying.

By the declaration, Malami said the Muhammadu Buhari administration has taken bold steps to deal ruthlessly with all terrorist groups and their sponsors in order to bring a lasting solution to the myriad of insecurity challenges in the country.

In achieving peace across the country, he explained that there would be a collaboration with relevant government agencies including security operatives to do the needful to take full advantage of this declaration.

The Minister also said the government will gazette and publish the proscription order. SOURCE: Channels Television