The Nigerian House of Representatives has requested that President Muhammadu Buhari declare bandits and their backers terrorists.
Babajimi Benson, the Chairman of the House Committee on Defense, submitted a motion of urgent public interest in plenary on Thursday, urging the lower chamber to support the Senate.
On Wednesday, the upper chamber had made the same demand.
Senator Ibrahim Gobir introduced a motion on banditry in Sokoto State, which led to the adoption of the resolution.
Benson, while moving the house motion, said, “The Senate, on Wednesday, 29th September, 2021, adopted a motion asking President Muhammadu Buhari to declare bandits ravaging the northern part of the country terrorists and wage a total war on them.
“They also asked that the president declare all known leaders of bandits wanted and arrest them wherever they were found for speedy prosecution.
“Such declaration to be done through a Proscription Order can be done pursuant to Section 2 of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011 (As Amended).
“I will like to echo the same sentiment and ask honourable colleagues to join the Senate in urging Mr President to declare bandits and their sponsors as terrorists.
“This will underline the determination of government to combat the wave of criminality and murders conducted by bandits all over the country.
“The declaration of bandits as terrorists can be done through a proscription order. That will serve as added impetus for our brave security personnel to redouble their efforts at dealing with this menace. Such declaration when given the force of law, will renew the vigour and resolve of our gallant security personnel in dealing with the menace of banditry as the mode of operations and rules of engagement will be scaled up accordingly.”
The bandits have dominated the North-West and parts of the North-Central geopolitical zones.