The Senate has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the ongoing military operations against bandits to Sokoto, Niger, Kaduna, Kebbi and Zamfara States.
The lawmakers made the appeal on Tuesday during plenary at the Senate Chamber of the National Assembly in Abuja.
Senator Aliyu Abdullahi who sponsored the motion recalled that the Senate had on May 12, 2020, considered two separate motions, asking the Federal Government to immediately address the growing spate of banditry in Niger and Katsina States, respectively.
Senator Sabi Abdullahi said the upper chamber was aware through a Presidential Spokesman that President Muhammadu Buhari had authorized the commencement of a major military operation to sweep bandits and kidnappers out of Katsina State.
The lawmaker added that a major offensive in Katsina State alone was likely to make the armed bandits and kidnappers seek a safer haven in Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger states which hosts the Zurmi and Kamuku forests among others, further compounding the plight of hapless and poor communities along the forest corridors.