The delay in declaring bandits as terrorists, according to Bashir Magashi, Minister of Defense, is due to the need to follow due process.
Bandits have been accused of being treated with “kid gloves” by the federal government, prompting calls for the government to declare them terrorists.
The federal government’s approach, according to Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, does not distinguish between bandits and terrorists.
Bashir Magashi told journalists in Maiduguri on Friday that there is a procedure that must be followed before such a declaration can be made.
He stated, “We are not declaring them terrorists because there is a process for doing so.”
“They’ll be classified as terrorists if the procedure is followed. We are awaiting the outcome of the procedure.”
The minister said he was in Maiduguri with service chiefs to assess the north-ongoing east’s insurgency fight.
He also expressed satisfaction with the achievements thus far, stating that his team had met with the theatre commander and other component commanders to discuss the next phase of operations.
Magashi also said the meeting identified problems that required urgent attention to enhance the security operations.
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