Like senate, reps ask Buhari to declare bandits as terrorists

The house of representatives has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to declare bandits as terrorists. 

The green chamber passed the resolution after a motion of urgent public importance was adopted. The motion was sponsored by Babajimi Benson, a lawmaker from Lagos state.

The development comes about 24 hours after the senate asked Buhari to ban banditry and declare all known leadership of bandits wanted.

While leading the debate at the plenary session on Thursday, Benson said if bandits are declared terrorists, security agencies will be more energised to fight the menace.

“This will underline the determination of the government to combat the wave of criminality and murders conducted by bandits all over the country,” he said.

“That will serve as a brave impetus to our security personnel to redouble their effort at dealing with this menace. Such declaration when given the force of law will renew the vigour of our military personnel and make them resolute in dealing with the menace of banditry as a mode of operation and rules of engagement will be scaled up accordingly.

“Such an order will officially bring the activities of bandits and their sponsors within the purvey of the terrorism prevention act. And any person associated with such groups can then be prosecuted and sentenced to penalties in the act.”

The motion was unanimously adopted after Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house, put it to a voice vote.

The lawmakers also asked Buhari to implement the recommendations of the security summit transmitted to him in July.