Court Declares Bandits As Terrorists, Proscribes Two Groups

A federal high court sitting in Abuja has proscribed Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda bandit groups and have subsequently declared that their activities constitute acts of terrorism.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo, presiding judge, granted the order on Thursday following an exparte motion filed by the Director, Public prosecution (DPP), Federal Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Abubakar.

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According to the motion, “banditry, incessant kidnappings for ransom, kidnapping for marriage, mass abductions of school children and other citizens, cattle rustling, enslavement, imprisonment, severe deprivation of physical liberty, torture, rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, other forms of sexual violence, attacks and killings in communities and commuters and wanton destruction of lives and properties in Nigeria, particularly in the Northwest and Northcentral states in Nigeria are being carried out by Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda groups and other groups associated with or engaged in the same or similar activities as Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda groups in Nigeria.”

“The activities of Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda groups and other similar groups constitute acts of terrorism that can lead to a breakdown of public order and safety and is a threat to national security and the corporate existence of Nigeria.”

Abubakar argued that their proscription is necessary in the interest of justice.

Justice Taiwo agreed with the contents of the motion and proscribed the group while ordering that it should be published on two newspapers.

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He also “restrained 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”.

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