The House of Representatives has joined its Senate counterpart to urge President Muhammadu Buhari to declare bandits terrorists in order to check their activities.
It said when this is done, bandits can be tried under the nation’s anti-terrorism laws.
This was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by the Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson, on the call for the declaration of bandits and their sponsors as terrorists.
The motion, which was passed on Thursday, September 30, 2021, was seconded by Hon. Egberongbe Adewale.
Barely a day before, September 29, 2021, the Senate asked President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently declare bandits as terrorists and apply maximum force against them.
The Senators also urged Buhari to arrest and prosecute all leaders of bandits, especially those operating in Sokoto East senatorial district.
During Thursday plenary, Hon. Benson said while leading the debate on the motion that prosecuting bandits and their sponsors under the anti-terrorism would serve as a deterrent to others.
He also counselled the President to implement the recommendations of the national security summit organised by the House of Representatives, as measures from all arms of government are critical in fighting the rising trends of banditry and terrorism in Nigeria.
Hon. Benson said: “I would 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 the government to combat the wave of criminality and murders conducted by bandits all over the country.”
Contributing to the motion, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila reiterated the commitment of the House of Representatives and the Senate to continue fighting all forms of banditry and insecurity to a standstill.
The motion was voted and adopted.