*Proposes Capital Punishment for Offenders *Warns Politicians Sponsoring Violence By Awwal Umar Kontagora Worried by the rising ...
*Proposes Capital Punishment for Offenders
*Warns Politicians Sponsoring Violence
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
Worried by the rising cases of thuggery and youth restiveness across Niger State—particularly in Minna, the state capital—the Niger State House of Assembly has vowed to revisit existing laws with a view to bringing the situation under control.
Following a three-hour closed-door meeting on Tuesday with the Commissioner of Police, the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and heads of other security agencies in the state, the Assembly said it would not hesitate to enact legislation making thuggery a capital offence.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, expressed deep concern over the activities of violent youth groups terrorizing residents of Minna metropolis. He described the situation as having crossed a red line, emphasizing that the time for decisive action is now.
The Speaker warned that any politician or individual found to be sponsoring or encouraging these miscreants will be exposed and dealt with in accordance with the law.
“As representatives of the people, we cannot fold our hands and watch criminals, under the guise of political thuggery, make life unbearable for our citizens,” Sarkindaji said.
“The activities of these youths, who are unleashing terror on innocent people, have gone too far. We must act swiftly to restore order.”
He lamented that while the current administration is striving to combat insecurity in rural areas caused by bandits and insurgents, urban centers are now grappling with a different but equally dangerous form of violence.
Sarkindaji noted that apart from the threat to lives and property, the actions of these criminal groups could undermine the government's achievements in infrastructural development and investment promotion.
“No investor would consider putting their money in an insecure environment. That is why we cannot allow this situation to derail the 'New Niger Agenda' of the present administration,” he stressed.
“We will revisit all necessary laws and are considering legislation that would make thuggery a capital offence, given the number of lives already lost.”
He added, “We will make it extremely difficult for these criminals masquerading as political thugs to operate. Thuggery will no longer be tolerated in Niger State.”
The Speaker assured that the House would provide full legislative backing to the police and other security agencies, pledging to work with the executive arm of government to provide the necessary logistics to combat the menace effectively.
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