The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to label bandits and kidnappers as terrorists, without further delays. 

This was part of the recommendations from their meeting on how to put an end to the insecurity ravaging the country, held weekend. 

The Speakers explaned that the declaration of the bandits and kidnappers as terrorists is necessary to pave the way for the Nigerian Military and other security agencies to respond to their offensives without falling on the wrong side of international laws.

This and more were the contents of a communiqué read at the end of a 3 day conference by its Chairman and Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Suleiman, to mark its third annual meeting held in Katsina State.

According to the Chairman, on behalf of the group, the meeting with the theme: ‘The Menace of Insecurity in the Country and the Role of State Assemblies to Restore Peace and Order’, was designed to discuss and proffer solutions to the myriad of security issues militating against the country at these times.

He said the conference had in attendance, Speakers from the 36 State Houses of Assembly across the Nigeria. 

According to Abubakar Suleiman; “The conference call on the Federal government to declare bandits and kidnappers as terrorists to enable security agencies to fight the criminals. This is not only to serve as deterrent to others but also to become the solution to security challenges facing the country.

“The conference while commending the governors, who have given assent to the fund management bills passed by respective state assemblies called on other state governors who are yet to do so to give assent to the bill for effective and efficient implementation of financial autonomy across the nation."

Recall that lots of stakeholders, personalities and groups, like the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El Rufai, Afenifere socio-political group have recently joined the call for Mr President to tow this same line but there seems to be a lack of political will from the side of the Presidency. 

It has also been insinuated in certain fora that the Presidency uses double standards for anti-social elements by proscribing the Indegenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and branding its members as terrorists while the bandits and Boko Haram terrorists who are known to be deadlier in scope and operations as mere criminals. 

He said the conference also resolved to make relevant laws to help the Federal and State Governments to re-strategise for a more effective and efficient fight against terrorists and terrorism in Nigeeia. 

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