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Nigerians have expressed mixed reactions over the Muhammadu Buhari’s government to officially designate bandits as terrorists, with many saying it is a political gimmick ahead of the 2023 general elections.
SaharaReporters had on Wednesday reported that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), gazetted a court judgment that ordered the government to declare bandits as terrorists.
This is after several weeks of foot-dragging despite a ruling by Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 25, 2021, granting an ex parte application by the Federal Government for Yan Bindiga (Hausa word for gunmen) and Yan Ta’adda (Hausa word for terrorists) to be declared as terrorists.
The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari delayed for over a month until the official declaration yesterday.
However, Nigerians have not shown excitement over this news as some saw the delayed declaration as a strategy by the ruling party to maintain its hold in the forthcoming 2023 elections.
Some Nigerians queried why the Nigerian government had refused to declare the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore as terrorists alongside the new designation given to bandits.
Others, however, showed their displeasure over the government’s amnesty programme for terrorists stating that they are only tagged terrorists only to be integrated into the Nigerian Army thereafter.
Some of their reactions are below:
Declaring is one thing
Treating them as terrorists is another.— CUCARACHAððð (@chyydz1) January 5, 2022
Whatâs in a name?
âBandit or Terroristâ, you still integrate them in civilised society. You have empathy for their course, and you will do nothing even in 20 years to them.
Sunday Igboho or Kanu, are political prisoners!— Oluphemmy (@olusailor) January 6, 2022
2023 in view.
*Chief Economic Adviser appointed.
*Engaging the media (more often).
*Naming bandits as terroristsWatch out for more.
Be wise. Don’t let them fool you a third time.
Above all, go get your PVCs and ensure to VOTE.
— YourDaddy’sUncle (@EndyCharlesEndy) January 5, 2022
They will eliminate bandit because election is close so that u and your family will go vote for APC
Abi una MUMU never do?ð¡ https://t.co/KohRkne3v1— phils stephen (@StephenPhils) January 5, 2022
Bcos Elections are getting closer, they need sympathy votes
They are also about to unban Twitter
— Anti-APC, Anti-Buhari (@NaijadonCast_30) January 5, 2022
A Facebook user, Ukwu Cletus noted: “We need action, not declaration…there can be declaration without action; I know this Government”.
Another user, Jacobs Timothy stated: “When they know they are about to leave office.”
Kelechi Kalu wrote: “What is the need when they will still be released as repentant bandits just same way they are releasing Boko Haram. Meanwhile who are the bandits?”
Source: saharareporters
