Hayatu-Deen Vows to Label Bandits as Terrorists if Elected

Moham Hayatu-Deen, a presidential candidate from the African Democratic Congress, has declared his intention to formally designate bandits and kidnappers as terrorist organizations if elected in 2027. During a town hall meeting in Abuja, he stated that Nigeria can no longer afford to tolerate widespread insecurity caused by criminal organizations.

Hayatu-Deen promised a comprehensive crackdown on violent criminal groups, advocating for a zero-tolerance approach to insecurity from his first day in office. He highlighted the escalating wave of kidnappings and bandit attacks across Nigeria, particularly in the northwest, north-central, and northeast regions, which have displaced thousands and undermined public confidence in the government.

He criticized the federal government's response to insecurity, citing weak coordination and poor intelligence gathering. Hayatu-Deen emphasized that every bandit and kidnapper would be prosecuted under terrorism laws, with measures to freeze assets and disrupt financial channels of criminal networks.

He also linked economic reform and job creation to restoring national security.