The Middle Belt Forum, MBF, has accused the Federal Government of lacking the political will to end terrorism in Nigeria.
MBF National President, Bitrus Pogu made the remark in response to reason highlighted by Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation, on why bandits have not been declared terrorists.
Malami had said the Federal Government was yet to declare bandits terrorist because it was adhering to international best practice.
However, Pogu, in a statement, said: “I can never buy that line of thought. It means they have seen that their people who are doing mischief will be protected better if they are left as bandits.
“And as far as I am concerned, court orders are court orders and Malami has to obey it. If the court has made its declaration based on the practice of the people and their actions, they have been terrorizing people, they even shot down an aircraft, they have gone beyond the level of bandits and the court has declared them as terrorists and so it should be obeyed.
“Therefore the treatment the federal government should give to terrorists should be given to them. They are not a special breed.
“And the action of Malami is an indication that there is no political will to end terrorism in Nigeria.”
Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Abuja Federal High Court, had in November 2021, declared bandits as terrorists.
The judge had granted an ex parte application by the Federal Government for Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda to be declared as terrorists.
Despite the court’s ruling, the Buhari government was yet to take the necessary actions.
However, Malami said efforts were on to gazette the court’s ruling.
