Declare Bandits As Terrorists, Their Leaders Wanted — Nigerian Senate Tells Buhari
Bandits wreaking havoc across the country have been asked to be declared terrorists by President Muhammadu Buhari.
This was mentioned in the Senate’s appeal on the President to make war on bandits, including bombing all of their hideouts to obliterate and eradicate them.
It instructed the President to declare all known bandit leaders wanted and track them down for arrest and prosecution wherever they are.
Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir, representing the Sokoto East Senatorial constituency, and eight others proposed the resolutions.
Because of the recent attack on bandits in Zamfara State, Gobir remarked that his district had become a safe haven for them.
He remembers marauding bandits assassinating 21 security personnel in Dama and Gangara last Saturday, as well as an unknown number of residents from nearby villages.
The occurrence, according to the congressman, necessitates immediate action by declaring war on banditry.
He voiced concern that losing such a large number of skilled officers will further decrease the country’s security personnel’s numerical strength, compromising the country’s security architecture.
He also expressed regret that, as a result of the ongoing military operations along the Zamfara axis, the majority of the bandits have migrated to Sabon Birni and Isa local government areas.
Gobir claimed that while the bandits were being hunted down in Zamfara, no tangible precautions were taken in Sokoto, leaving the state completely vulnerable to their actions.
“In order to create effective and desirable results, the operation should be holistic rather than restrictive,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Senate observed a minute of silence in memory of the slain heroes and civilians who perished as a result of the bandits’ criminal operations.
The Upper Chamber then authorized NEMA and other relevant federal government agencies to provide all necessary assistance to victims of banditry in Sokoto and other parts of the country.
