Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle on Tuesday signed the anti-banditry and other related offences bill into law.
The law has death penalty for those found guilty of banditry and related offences in Zamfara. It also provides that anyone found guilty of aiding and abetting the crimes would be liable to life imprisonment, 20 years imprisonment, or 10 years imprisonment, without an option of fine.
Speaking shortly after signing the bill, Matawalle said the law forms part of measures to tackle banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling in Zamfara.
The law: Prohibition and Punishment for Banditry, Cattle Rustling, Cultism, Kidnapping and Other Incidental Offences, 2022 was passed by the state legislature on Monday.
“Today, we have signed the bill on Prohibition and Punishment for Banditry, Cattle Rustling, Cultism, Kidnapping and Other Incidental Offences, 2022.
“You may recall that yesterday (Monday) I inaugurated four security-related committees, as part of our counter-banditry initiatives.
“Formation of the committees is aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of the security measures being taken to end the over-decade-old banditry and other security-related challenges,” he said.
Matawalle added that his administration would go to any length within the law to secure the state and restore peace in the communities.
“Zamfara State, under my watch, will continue to explore all possible remedies to our plight.
“Those making insinuations about our decision to support the right of community members to self-defence against ruthless attacks by bandits ought to take into consideration the scale of the problem we are facing,” he said.
