The governor of Zamfara state, HE Bello Matawalle has signed the anti-banditry and other related offences bill into law, proscribing death penalty for a convicted bandit and other criminals.
The law: prohibition and punishment for banditry, cattle rustling, cultism, kidnapping and other offences 2022, was passed by the state legislation on June 28th.
Speaking after signing the bill, the governor said the law formed part of measures to tackle banditry, terrorism and cattle rustling in the state.
The new law, according to him will serve as a legal instrument for prosecuting banditry and related offenders, as it would provide any person found guilty of the crime liable to death penalty.
It also provides that anyone found guilty of aiding and abetting these crimes would be liable to life imprisonment, 20 years imprisonment, or ten years imprisonment with option of fine depending on the offence.
The law is part of the governments series of efforts to address the nagging challenges of banditry and related crimes in the state, and will enable the state government fight insecurity that has ravaged it’s locals.