DECLARE BANDITS AS TERRORISTS - NIGERIAN SENATE URGES PRESIDENT BUHARI

The Senate has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to, as a matter of urgency, declare bandits as terrorists and wage a total war against them.

The lawmakers also urged the president to immediately declare all known leadership of the bandits wanted, and track them wherever they are for arrest and prosecution. They asked Mr Buhari to order the military "to elimmate them by bombing their hideouts."

These are some of the resolutions taken by lawmakers on Wednesday after a deliberation on a motion on the activities of bandits in Sokoto State sponsored by Ibrahim Gobir (APC, Sokoto East). His motion comes barely a day after bandits killed at least 20 people and abducted others in Galawa, a village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Gobir, in his motion, complained that his senatorial district has now become a haven for bandits, following a crackdown on them by the military in Zamdara State while he made reference to Tuesday's attack.

In her contribution, Senator Uche Ekwunife, PDP, Anambra Central, who decried the rising state of banditry and other forms of insecurity across the country, said that governments must rise up to its primary responsibility of protecting lives and properties. She said the time had come for President Muhammadu Buhari and the executive arm od government to address the nation on the rising trend of insecurity in the country.