As reported by Premium Times on 29 September 2021, the Nigerian Senate has called upon President Buhari to declare all those operating as bandits in Nigeria as terrorists and to set measures in motion to track down leaders of armed groups for arrest and prosecution. The president, who is now in the last two years of his final term in office, is to air his official decision in the first week of November. Frans Veerman, Managing Director of World Watch Research (WWR), comments: "In the first place, the Senate is to be congratulated for unmasking the fact that it is Fulani militia who have been increasingly referred to simply as "˜bandits" in national and international media. This use of the term "˜bandits" has been part of a phenomenon which researchers call "˜persecution eclipse" (WWR, 12 April 2021)." Frans Veerman continues: "It would indeed be truly revolutionary if President Buhari were to make such an official declaration of war on banditry. There have been many voices supporting this action, for instance the King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), which connects Muslim, Christian and political leaders in a think-tank for combatting Nigeria"s increasing insecurity (Summit Post News, 26 October 2021). However, there are also influential voices opposing such a declaration, most notably from Sheikh Gumi who thinks that such a declaration would encourage a surge in jihadism and would need to include any vigilantes fighting against Fulani herdsmen also being designated as terrorists (Metro, 25 October 2021)." Frans Veerman adds: "Nigeria cannot continue with the current levels of violence destroying society. Some observers say this violence is all part of the process of Islamization while others would prefer to speak of "˜Fulanization". However, WWR sees both as being closely connected and analyses the situation under the heading "˜Ethno-religious hostility". Up until now, President Buhari would seem to have been sponsoring this process; not only does he share Fulani ethnicity (from his father"s side), but he is also a life patron of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeder Association of Nigeria, which is probably the reason why he has never publicly condemned either the Fulani militia or "˜bandits" up to this point." Frans Veerman concludes: "If people ask, what difference such a declaration would make for Christians in Nigeria, the answer is that it represents a clear step towards ending the current impunity enjoyed by those attacking Christian communities and occupying their farmland. However, such a declaration will only be effective if the government security forces are sufficiently mobilized. Until now, several incidents would seem to indicate that the armed forces have been under orders not to intervene when such attacks take place by Fulani militia or "˜bandits"."