THE Senate on Wednesday asked the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to declare bandits in the country terrorists.

The Red Chamber also asked the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to wage a total war against the criminals, including bombing all their locations to annihilate and eliminate them.

The Senate further asked Buhari to declare all known leaders of the bandits wanted and track them wherever they are, for arrest and prosecution.

These were parts of the resolutions of the Senate after considering a motion sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto East), and co-sponsored by eight other senators.

The lawmaker lamented that Sokoto East Senatorial District had now become a safe haven for bandits, following a crackdown on them by the military in Zamfara.

READ ALSO Dr. Akunyili’s son reacts as Okonjo-Iweala comments on the murder of his father

He expressed worry that on September 25, 21 security personnel were killed in Dama and Gangara villages by rampaging bandits.

The Senator added that 15 soldiers, three mobile police officers and three members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were among those killed by bandits.

He said, “This has gone to portray the seriousness of the problem which requires concerted and urgent action by the declaration of total war on banditry.”

The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan commended the efforts of the Armed Forces in the sustained fight against insecurity in the country.