Kebbi Government Mulls Death Penalty for Bandit Informants

The Kebbi State Government has announced plans to introduce the death penalty for individuals found guilty of serving as informants to armed bandit groups, as part of efforts to combat rising insecurity in the state.

Governor Nasir Idris made the declaration during a visit to Tudun Bichi village in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, which recently suffered a deadly attack that claimed the lives of over 80 residents.

He described informants as enemies of the state and promised to sign any death warrant issued against them without delay.

“I will not waste a second in signing the death warrant of anyone convicted of aiding these bandits by providing them with information,” the governor said. “Such betrayal of our people is not just criminal, but wicked and against all moral and religious values.”

Tudun Bichi and several other communities in southern Kebbi have faced repeated attacks from heavily armed groups who raid villages, kill residents, and abduct others for ransom. The growing insecurity has sparked public outrage and demands for stronger action from the government.

Governor Idris also pledged to support security agencies through improved logistics and welfare, while promising to rebuild critical infrastructure such as roads and bridges destroyed during the attacks.

While the proposal has received support from some local leaders and residents, legal experts and human rights advocates have raised concerns about the implications of applying the death penalty. They warn that without proper legal safeguards, the policy could lead to wrongful convictions and abuse.

This move mirrors similar actions taken by other states such as Zamfara, which introduced a law in 2022 imposing the death penalty on bandits and their informants. However, enforcement of such laws remains limited due to legal and constitutional challenges.

The Kebbi State House of Assembly is expected to deliberate on the proposal in the coming weeks. In the meantime, calls for urgent federal intervention and more coordinated security operations continue to grow across the state.