Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has signed a new law that approves death penalty for anyone convicted of banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, cultism, or serving as bandits’ informant in the state.
Matawalle disclosed this in a broadcast to the state on Tuesday morning.
According to him, the new law is one of the measures put in place by his administration to tackle terrorism acts experienced in the state and the northwestern region as a whole.
Matawalle expressed optimism that despite the recently recorded pockets of attacks by bandits across the state, the latest measures by his administration are already yielding the intended results.
Also, the Zamfara Governor said many informants who have been a major impediment in the fight against banditry have been apprehended and are currently undergoing interrogation in preparation for their prosecution, in accordance with extant laws.
Matawalle declared: “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 offenses faces a sentence of life in prison, 20 years in jail, or ten years in prison, without the option of a fine.”
