The Senate has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to declare bandits ravaging the Northwest and other parts of the country as terrorists.
It also advised Buhari to declare known leaders of bandits in the country wanted and to direct the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to urgently support all victims of banditry in the country.
These were some of the resolutions reached after the Senate considered a motion titled: “Banditry in Sokoto State particularly Sokoto East Senatorial District” sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Gobir.
Earlier yesterday, former President Goodluck Jonathan had called on “ the government and stakeholders to do a lot of dialogue” on how to overcome the nation’s security challenges.
During the debate on Gobir’s motion, Senate President Ahmad Lawan advocated that Armed Forces allocation in the 2022 budget be raised to N1trillion.
Gobir had in his lead debate urged the Senate to note that Sokoto East Senatorial District had become a safe haven for bandits due to the crackdown against them in Zamfara State.
He drew his colleagues’ attention to the killing of 21 security personnel, including 15 soldiers, in Dama and Gangara by bandits at the weekend.
In his contribution, Senate President Lawan, called for an upward review of the annual budget of the Armed Forces to N1trillion to enable the military procured needed equipment to meet its operational obligations.
He said: “These people give their lives in trying to secure this country and that is the ultimate sacrifice anybody could pay.
“If we could pass over N800 billion in the supplementary budget, I don’t see why we cannot improve the resources up to N1trillion and hold our security agencies accountable.
Senator Uche Ekwunife said it is time for Buhari to address the nation on the rising insecurity across the country.
Ekwunife said: “In the Southeast, people can’t move freely anymore. . In the Southwest, it is the same. Even in Abuja here, yesterday somebody was kidnapped in Gudu
”It is so bad that government has to do something otherwise it will get to a point where finding solutions will become problematic.
“I think the President has to address the country on security. It has come to the level where he has to address the nation.”
Also in Abuja, Jonathan called on Nigerians, stakeholders, civil society groups and others, to join hands in securing the country against the activities of insurgents and bandits.
He spoke as the Special Guest of Honour and Guest Speaker, at the inauguration/lecture of the National Defence College (NDC), Course 30.
The former President said: “It is very obvious that these days people don’t go to farm anymore because of one fear or the other. Everybody should be involved in securing this country. Yes, the government will do its part but we as individuals should also do our own part.
“My humble suggestion is that government and stakeholders should do a lot of dialogue. When you start talking, you will find out that it could reduce the anger in people. We must build this issue of human security and the security of the country.”
Also, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lucky Irabor said that though there were still pockets of attacks by insurgents and bandits, insecurity had drastically reduced, especially with the induction of some newly procured Super Tucano aircraft.
He urged Nigerians to oblige the security agencies with relevant information in their battle to keep the country safe.
