The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami (SAN), said the Federal Government is now ready to crush bandits after a court declared them as terrorists.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Dr. Umar Gwandu, Malami said the court order has strengthened government’s hands to come down heavily on terrorists in conformity with international standards on the rules of engagement with such elements.
But Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, dismissed the development as political.
The court decision, he said yesterday, would change nothing, the same way government’s previous declaration of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has not stopped the separatist organisation from its activities.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had declared bandits anywhere in the country as terrorists.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo, ruling on an ex parte motion filed by the Federal Government, said groups, such as Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda are nothing other than terrorists.
Reacting to the court’s verdict, Malami said government would now deal ruthlessly with all terrorists groups and their sponsors with a view to bringing 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 organisations, insurgency and banditry in the country,” he said.
Malami said his office “in collaboration with relevant government agencies, including security operatives, are working assiduously to do the needful to take full advantage of this declaration.”
Government will gazette, publish and publicise the proscription order in due course, he added.
