President Muhammadu Buhari has directed a military crackdown on bandits terrorising communities in Niger State.
Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu
in a statement said the order to launch a major military campaign in the
North-central state was handed over to the Defence Headquarters by the
President.
The President’s order came just two weeks after the Federal Government
published the Court order classifying bandits, kidnappers and others as
terrorists into a Gazette. This is also coming on a day that gunmen killed
three and kidnapped 28 people in Farin-Shinge, Kulho, Jigawa, Dogo
Fadama communities of Mashegu local government areas of Niger State.
The Niger State Police Spokesman DSP Wasiu Abiodun, who confirmed
the incident in Jigawa and Kulho communities, said 15 persons were
kidnapped in the attack.
He added that the terrorists entered Mashegu village through Jigawa area
and rustled a number of cattle, while they broke a provision shop at
Kawo village.
According to the Gazette signed by Attorney-General of the Federation
and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN and published on June
5, bandits, anybody or group found guilty of all the offences will face
trial under Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011.
