The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially declared bandits and kidnappers as terrorists five years after it declared Boko Haram insurgents as terrorists.
It issued a gazette on the court order classifying bandits, kidnappers, and others as terrorists.
Other offenses punishable under the gazette were included in the report.
These offenses include but are 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.
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 will face the wrath of the law.
According to the Gazette, bandits, anybody or group found guilty of all the offenses will face trial under the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011.
Although the Gazette prescribing bandit groups in the North and others were made on November 25, 2021, it was unfolded yesterday, January 5, 2022.
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).
