Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle has signed into law, a Bill For The Prosecution Of Banditry, Cattle Rustling, Cultism, Kidnapping And Incidental Offences.
The law states that anyone found guilty of banditry, cattle rustling, cultism and kidnapping, is liable to the death penalty, while anybody aiding and abetting the crimes, is liable to a life sentence of between ten and twenty years imprisonment.
Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State after signing the bill for the Prohibition of banditry, cattle rustling, cultism, kidnapping and incidental offences into law, said it will serve as an instrument to prosecute offenders of the crimes in the state.
He restated that Nigeria’s conventional security forces are operating in the various theatres, and are not only being overstretched but lack modern war equipment to prosecute the counter-insurgency and banditry.
Governor Matawalle said those who are criticizing the Zamfara State Government’s decision to support people to bear firearms for self-defence against the ruthless terrorists, ought to take into consideration, the scale of the problem the people are facing.
They should also take into account, the plights of innocent citizens who are maimed, killed and kidnapped every day.
He disclosed that the State Government’s Community Protection Guard is not any different from the Civilian Joint Taskforce, CJTF in the Northeast and the Amotekun in the Southwest.
The Governor reiterated his administration’s determination to go to any length, within the precincts of the law, to secure the state and restore peace in the communities, and place the state on a sound trajectory of development.
He emphasized that the Executive Order Numbers 7, 8, 9 and 10, which he had signed into law last year, will provide legal instruments for the operations of the four Special Committees he inaugurated on Monday, 27th June, to ensure the implementation of the security measures.
The Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Nasiru Muazu, while presenting the bill to Governor Bello Matawalle for his assent, said the House passed it into law on Monday.
Reacting to the signing of the bill into law, the Chairman of the Committee on Prosecution of Banditry-related offences, Abdullahi Shinkafi, described it as a milestone in the administration of Governor Matawalle’s efforts in the ongoing war against terrorists in Zamfara State.
The Governor thanked the Federal Government and the state’s lawmakers for their support of his administration’s efforts to flush out the violent criminals in the state.
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe
