Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle announced last week that he has signed into law a legislation stipulating the death penalty for convicts of terrorism and allied offences in the state. This was part of efforts by the state government to tackle down the menace of terrorism and other violent crimes that have hobbled residents for years and created acute challenges of insecurity.

In a broadcast, the governor stated that based on the new law, anyone found guilty of banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, cultism, or serving as informant to bandits is liable to the death penalty. “Similarly, anyone found guilty of supporting in any manner the aforementioned offences faces a sentence of life in prison, 20 years in jail, or 10 years in prison, without the option of fine,” he added. These penalties are prescribed in the 2022 Prohibition and Punishment for Banditry, Cattle Rustling, Cultism, Kidnapping and Other Incidental Offences Law that he assented to on June 28, 2022. Apparently in explaining the prescription of capital punishment for bandits’ informants he described the activities of informants as a major clog in efforts to upend the challenge of insecurity.

At about the same time the Zamfara State governor assented to the new law in June, he emplaced other measures to combat the challenge of insecurity, among them the inauguration of four task forces on security matters that he backed up with enactment of enabling executive orders. It was at the time he also famously called on Zamfara residents to acquire guns for defending themselves against terrorists. “Government has henceforth directed individuals to prepare and obtain guns to defend themselves against the bandits, as government has directed the state commissioner of police to issue licences to all those who qualify and are willing to obtain guns to defend themselves,” a statement by his administration had said.

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It was against that backdrop Matawalle last week directed the relevant security task force to embark on house-to-house search to flush out criminal elements in the 19 emirates of the state. Among other things, he imposed a restriction on motorcycle operators and ordered security agents to shoot on sight any motorcycle rider who violates the restriction and also refuses to stop at security checkpoints in affected areas. He also ordered hotel operators to scrutinise their guests by means of valid identification before accommodating them, warning: “Any hotelier found violating the new order will have his hotel shut down and face prosecution according to the law.”

With the heavy toll that bandits have exerted on Zamfara State residents, the exasperation of the state government with them and their abettors is fully warranted. But the new law could be another indirect acknowledgement of state impotence in dealing with the menace of banditry, just like the call on residents to acquire guns for self-defence. In other words, it could be an exertion of energy by the state government, but without strength. The law would amount to mere officialdom if the sociological root of the banditry menace isn’t addressed.

The Federal Government hasn’t been up to task with its constitutional duty to ensure the security of Nigerians, including Zamfara residents. Perhaps for that very reason, there are indications of community surrender to the bandits, such that last month, a banditry kingpin known as Ado Aleiro was turbaned as Sarkin Fulanin Yandoto by the Emir of Sabon Yandoton Daji in Zamfara State. The kingpin has been on ‘wanted’ list of security agencies and even has a ransom offered for information that could lead to his arrest. Yet, prominent persons attended his turbaning that held without disruption by security agents. Although the Zamfara State government suspended the emir thereafter, Aleiro has not been apprehended and it isn’t known that government has moved to interrogate and take measures against attendees at the turbaning.

Beyond the capital punishment law, much more needs to be done to guarantee the security of community residents so that their implicit surrender that has afforded bandits safe zones to operate could be withdrawn from the bandits.