The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami (SAN), said yesterday that following a court order declaring bandits as terrorists, the Federal Government is now enabled to crush gunmen terrorizing the country.
Malami said the court order has helped to strengthen the government’s hands to deal with terrorists in conformity with international standards on the rules of engagement with such elements.
Nevertheless, Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, dismissed the development as political.
He said the court decision would change nothing, the same way the government’s previous declaration of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has not ceased the separatist organization’s activities.
Responding to the court’s verdict, Malami asserted government would now deal ruthlessly with all terrorist groups and their sponsors to bring a lasting solution to the nation’s security challenges.
“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 organizations, insurgency, and banditry in the country,” he said in a statement through his media aide, Dr. Umar Gwandu.
