Bandits are now terrorists, court declares

A Federal High Court in Abuja has declared bandits anywhere in the country as terrorists.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo made the declaration in Abuja, saying that groups, such as Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda should be declared terrorists.

The judge was acting on an ex parte motion filed by the Federal Government.

According to the Director Public Prosecution, DPP, Mohammed Abubakar, President Muhammadu Buhari gave approval for the proscription of Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda groups and other terrorist groups in the country.

The government said activities of Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda groups and other similar groups constituted acts of terrorism that could lead to a breakdown of public order and safety.

It said the groups represented threat to national security and the corporate existence of Nigeria.

But Justice Taiwo, in his ruling, stated that activities of the “Yan Bindiga group” and the “Yan Ta’adda group” and other similar groups in any part of the country, especially in the north-west and the north-central should be regarded “acts of terrorism and illegality”.

Daily Trust reports that the judge therefore proscribed the activities of the group as well as other similar groups in any part of Nigeria, either in groups or as individuals by whatever names they are called.