A former National Publicity Secretary of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chuks Ibegbu, has accused the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government of treating bandits with kid gloves.
Ibegbu said the Buhari government was more concerned with the prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB, and other pro-Biafra than dealing with the menace of banditry.
The chieftain was speaking with Daily Post in reaction to the declaration of bandits as terrorists by an Abuja Federal High Court.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo had declared banditry as an act of terrorism in all parts of Nigeria.
The Judge also outlawed the activities of some groups linked with acts of banditry and declared bandit activities as acts of terrorism.
Justice Taiwo, in a ruling on an ex-parte application filed by the federal government specifically declared the activities of the “Yan Bindiga Group and the Yan Ta’adda Group and other similar groups” in any part of the country, especially in the North West and North Central geo-political zones as “acts of terrorism and illegality”.
Reacting, Ibegbu said the decision of the Federal Government to treat banditry and Boko Haram with kid gloves is not the best way to move Nigeria forward.
According to Ibegbu: “It’s obvious that the Federal government is treating the issue of banditry with kid gloves and it’s very clear to everybody.
“Federal Government is treating them (bandits) with levity and is more concerned with Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB, and pro-Biafra agitators. Any little issue in the Southeast would be taken with all seriousness, but bandits, kidnappers, marauders, and Boko Haram are treated with kid gloves.
“This is not how to move a country forward or how to unite the country. Everybody should be treated equally.
“Those agitating are patriots. If you are agitating for something and you are not a bandit, killer, but pushing for fairness; you should not be seen as a terrorist.
“To be treating those killing and abducting people for ransom with kid gloves shows a high level of nepotism in the system.”
