Gusau — Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle has signed an anti-banditry and other related offences bill into law, imposing the death penalty on convicted bandits and other related criminals in the state.
The law, which takes immediate effect, was signed into law on Tuesday, June 28, 2022.
Matawalle said that the law was part of a plan to stop banditry, kidnapping, and cattle rustling in Zamfara after he signed it.
On Monday, the state legislature passed a law for Prohibition and Punishment for Banditry, Cattle Rustling, Cultism, Kidnapping, and Other Incidental Offenses, 2022.
“Today, we have signed the bill on Prohibition and Punishment for Banditry, Cattle Rustling, Cultism, Kidnapping, and Other Incidental Offenses, 2022,” he said.
As part of our anti-banditry initiatives, you may recall that I inaugurated four security-related committees on Monday. The formation of the committees is intended to ensure the effective implementation of the security measures being taken to end the decades-long banditry and other security-related challenges.
The governor recalled that he had previously signed Executive Orders 7, 8, 9, and 10 that provided the legal instruments and operational guidelines for the committees, emphasising that “the most fundamental focus of governance anywhere in the world is security.” Under my leadership, Zamfara State will continue to look into all possible solutions to our plight.
“Those making insinuations about our decision to support the right of community members to self-defense against ruthless attacks by bandits should consider the magnitude of the problem we face.” They must consider the plight of the innocent people who are maimed, killed, and kidnapped on a daily basis throughout the state. ”
The governor compared the state Community Protection Guards to the Civilian Joint Taskforce, JTF, in Borno and Amotekun in the southwest sub-region, saying, “Our move is particularly significant given that there is currently no part of the country that is not facing some form of insecurity.”
“Our conventional security forces are operating in various theatres ranging from southeast to southwest, northeast to north-central, heroically battling varying degrees of security challenges.” They are not only overstretched but also lack adequate modern equipment to effectively prosecute counter-banditry and insurgency warfare. “
