Order proscribing bandits as terrorists gazetted by FG

By our reporter/ The proscription of bandits as terrorists by the federal government has finally been gazetted.

The move came two months after an Abuja high court declared the activities of all bandit groups in the country as acts of terrorism.

The attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami who made the disclosure while speaking during a Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) programme on Tuesday, said the government is  trying to ensure that it operates within the confines of international best practices.

According to Malami, the gazette would be ready in a few days.

The spokesman of the AGF, Umar Gwandu, on Wednesday announced the release of the gazette.

“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 I and 2 of the Terrorism (Prevention)Act, 2011,” the gazette reads.

“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, 201 and liable to prosecution.

“This Notice shall be cited as the Terrorism (Prevention) Proscription Order Notice, 2021.”