Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) - Nigeria's National Assembly is to strengthen the country's Anti-Terrorism Act so it can be more effectively used to checkmate the activities of the rampaging Islamic sect Boko Haram, according to Senate President David Mark.
Mr. Mark announced the plan on Monday when he led a group of MPs on a visit to the northern city of Kano, where the sect's attacks claimed about 200 lives on Friday.
“We will do all within our powers to ensure that we don’t have a repeat of this anywhere in our country. If there is anything we, in the National Assembly, can do in terms of taking a second look at the Anti-Terrorism Act, we will go ahead and do it. We will give maximum legislative and legal support so that those who are involved are dealt with,'' a statement from the Senate President's office quoted him as saying.
“It’s time for all good men in our country to speak out and condemn this act with all our might and with all our powers. It is also time for our security agencies to double their efforts and prevent such mishaps before they happen,'' he said.
The Senate President and his team condoled with the Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, Kano Emirates Council, state government and the people of the state, assuring that those behind these attacks would be brought to book.
While the police said 185 people died in the attacks, local newspapers quoting hospital sources said the number had exceeded 250.
It was the single biggest attack by the sect, whose name translates to 'Western education is forbidden' in the local Hausa language.
Boko Haram said it carried out the Kano attacks in response to the arrest and detention of its members in Kano state.
-0- PANA SEG 24Jan2012
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