The pan Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare bandits as terrorists. The group made the call, following a statement credited to controversial Islamic cleric; Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, calling on President Buhari not to declare bandits as terrorists.
In a communiqué signed by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, at the end of its October meeting, held at the residence of its Acting Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo in Sanya-Ogbo, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
Afenifere decried the act of insurgency, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities ravaging the country saying that these vices continued to grow despite the government’s self-acclaimed victory over violence.
The group said it is in support of the National Assembly and several others calling on the president to declare “those who have been kidnapping and killing the people be declared as terrorists and be treated as such.”
Afenifere insisted that bandits should not only be declared terrorists, but also be given the treatment of terrorists. It further said it was ironic that some individuals were seeking clemency for terrorists, the group emphasized that “whoever deodorizes or abets evil is culpable.”