Zamfara State Approves Death Penalty For Bandits

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has signed the anti-banditry and other related offences bill into law of which stipulate death penalty for bandits unleashing mayhem in the State.

The law which was signed on Tuesday, came into force with immediate effect.

Speaking shortly after signing the bill, the Governor said the law formed part of measures to get rid of bandits, kidnappers and cattle rustlers in the state.

The law, ‘Prohibition and Punishment for Banditry, Cattle Rustling, Cultism, Kidnapping and Other Incidental Offences, 2022’, was passed by the Zamfara House of Assembly on Monday.

Mr. Matawalle said, “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,” the governor noted.

The governor added that he had earlier signed Executive Orders 7, 8,9, and 10, that provided the legal instruments and operational guidelines for the committees.

He said the new law would serve as a legal instrument for prosecuting banditry-related offenders. The law provides that any person found guilty of banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, cultism or being an informant to bandits is liable to the death penalty.

The new law also stipulates 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.