The Senate has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to declare bandits ravaging the North West and other parts of the country as terrorists.
The Upper Chamber also called on the President to declare known leaders of bandits in the country wanted and track them wherever they are for arrest and prosecution.
It also urged the President to direct the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to urgently support all victims of banditry in Sokoto and other parts of the country.
These resolutions of the Senate followed its consideration of a motion sponsored by the Senator representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, Ibrahim Gobir.
Leading debate on the motion, Mr Gobir noted that his constituency had become a safe haven for bandits escaping from the military crackdown on them in Zamfara.
He said it was of serious concern that on Sept. 25, rampaging bandits killed 21 security personnel in Dama and Gangara villages in the area.
The senator said 15 of those killed were soldiers, while three each were from the Mobile Police Force and from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
He said that there was yet to be ascertained number of civilians from the neighbouring villages that were also affected by the attack.
“This has gone to portray the seriousness of the problem which requires concerted and urgent action by the declaration of total war on banditry,’’ he stressed.
Mr Gobir added that it was worrisome that losing such number of trained security personnel would further deplete the numerical strength of the security personnel in the country.
He said that most of the bandits had relocated to Sabon Birni and Isa Local Government Areas in Sokoto State due to the sustained military operations at the Zamfara axis.
He observed that while the crackdown on the bandits was taking place in Zamfara, serious measures were not taken to protect neighbouring Sokoto State, leaving the latter totally exposed to bandits.
He also expressed worry that the present military onslaught on bandits was not well co-ordinated because it was concentrated only on Zamfara.
Uche Ekwunife (PDP-Anambra) said government must rise to its primary responsibility of protecting lives and properties.
She said it was time President Buhari addressed the nation on the rising trend of insecurity.
Senate also urged the National Emergency Management Agency and other relevant Federal Government’s agencies to give support to victims of banditry in Sokoto State and in other parts of the country.
