From Daniel Peres, Minna
Worried by incessant attack on innocent members of the public, which led to loss of lives, the Niger State House of Assembly is to pass a law to make thuggery a capital offense in the state.
The move followed the increasing cases of thuggery and youth unrest in Niger State, particularly Minna, the state capital.
The Assembly has pledged to review existing laws to bring the situation under control.
Following a three-hour closed-door meeting with the Commissioner of Police, the Commandant of the Nigerian Civil Defense, and heads of other security agencies yesterday, the Assembly said it would not hesitate to introduce legislation that would make thuggery a capital offense in the state.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, expressed that the activities of youths involved in thuggery, which are terrorizing innocent citizens in Minna, have crossed a critical threshold.
He emphasized that decisive action is urgently needed to address this menace.
The Speaker warned that any politician or individual found to be sponsoring these miscreants causing chaos in the state would be exposed and dealt with according to state laws.
He remarked, “As representatives of the people, we cannot stand by and allow criminals hiding under thuggery to make life miserable for our citizens.”
He noted with regret that while the current administration is striving to combat insecurity resulting from the activities of bandits and insurgents, another form of security challenge thuggery—is now emerging.
The Speaker highlighted that beyond the threats to life and property, the activities of these criminals could undermine the government’s successes in infrastructural transformation and investment initiatives.
“No investor will want to come to an insecure environment, which is why we cannot allow the current situation to derail the ‘New Niger Agenda’ of the present administration,” he stated.
Sarkindaji confirmed that the Assembly would revisit all necessary laws and consider making thuggery a capital offense, as many lives have already been lost due to such activities.