Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai said, the Federal Government of Nigeria should declare bandits as terrorists so that the military can kill them without international law implications.
He stated this on Wednesday when a third quarter security report was presented to him in Kaduna, while he reminded the Federal Government of a letter he wrote in 2017 asking FG to declare bandits as terrorists.
El-Rufai said, the National Assembly’s resolution asking the Federal Government of Nigeria to declare bandits terrorists was appropriate, stating that his administration will support the resolution and promise that he will follow up with another letter of support for the government to declare bandits as terrorists.
“We, in Kaduna State Government, have always aligned with the declaration of bandits as insurgents and terrorists. We have written letters to the Federal Government since 2017, asking for this declaration because it is the declaration that will allow the Nigerian military to attack and kill these bandits without any major consequences in international law.
“So, we support the resolution by the National Assembly and we are going to follow up with a letter of support, for the Federal Government to declare these bandits and insurgents as terrorists, so that they will be fair game for our military. This is the view of the Kaduna State Government,” he said.
He called on the Federal Government to liaise with 36 States of the Federation to embark on an emergency recruitment of 1000 willing youths from the 774 Local Government Councils into security agencies to tackle insecurity bedeviling the nation.
According to him, FG could change the game significantly once that is done, noting that it will be the highest number of recruitment into the security agencies since the civil war.
He said an influx of 774,000 “new boots on the ground” will be a significant blow on criminals and also serve as an employment boost.
El-Rufai condoles with families who lost their loved ones due to bandits attack, adding that insecurity still persist despite consistent efforts and investments of hard-earned resources, saying they are working hard to solve the problem.
He also condoled with security agencies and families of officers who died on the line of duty trying to keep the nation safe.
“I wish to appeal to all the citizens and residents of Kaduna State to
remain law abiding and to uphold peace in their communities as best as
they can.”
