Zamfara State Government Signs Death Penalty For Bandits, Kidnappers, Cultists, Others Into Law

Anyone found guilty of banditry, cattle rustling, cultism, or acting as a bandit’s informant will receive the death penalty, according to a law that was recently put into effect by the governor of Zamfara state, Bello Matawalle.

On Tuesday, August 16, the governor made this announcement to the state’s residents via broadcast.

He said, “On the 28th of June this year, I assented to the bill on Prohibition and Punishment for Banditry, Cattle Rustling, Cultism, Kidnapping and Other Incidental Offences, 2022.

“The law provides a legal instrument for prosecuting banditry-related offenders.

“Based on the new law, anyone found guilty of banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, cultism, or serving as a bandits’ informant is subject to the death penalty.

“Similarly, anyone found guilty of supporting in any manner the aforementioned offences faces a sentence of life in prison, 20 years in jail, or ten years in prison, without the option of a fine.”

The measures, according to Matawalle, are a part of his administration’s relentless efforts to address the banditry issue that has plagued the state and the surrounding northern states for more than ten years.

He said, “Gladly, the latest measures are beginning to yield the intended results despite the pockets of attacks here and there by the bandits.”

He expressed hope that the situation would soon end and characterized the activities of whistleblowers as a significant engagement in how the state was addressing insecurity issues.

He said, “With regards to the issue of informants, which is the major impediment in the fight against banditry, I am glad to inform the peace-loving people of Zamfara State that we have succeeded in apprehending many of them.

“They are currently being interrogated before being prosecuted in accordance with the fullest extent of the law.”