Court Declares Bandit Groups as Terrorists

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja Nigeria’s Capital has declared the activities of groups linked to acts of banditry and kidnapping as act of terrorism.

In a ruling delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, the court specifically, held that activities of Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda bandit groups, constitute acts of terrorism.

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

The FG had in an affidavit it filed in support of the motion, told the court that intelligence reports affirmed that the bandit groups masterminded several killings, abductions, and related acts of criminality in the northeast, north-central, and other parts of the country.

The government noted that the activities of the groups have resulted in the disruption of commercial, educational, and farming activities in the Northwest and Northcentral.

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

Justice Taiwo, accordingly granted the motions as prayed, 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.