The Senate on Tuesday called on the Nigerian Army and Air Force to, as a matter of urgency, bombard terrorists’ enclaves with a view to restoring peace and stability in the country.
It particularly directed security agencies in the country to always take steps to prevent the occurrence of similar incidence in the future.
These were part of the resolutions reached upon a point of order raised on “the continuing attacks on communities and public facilities in Kaduna State”.
In the point of order raised by Senator Uba Sani (Kaduna Central), noted that terrorists have in recent times stepped up attacks on some communities and public facilities in the state.
Sani said; “The latest attacks by these murderous elements took place in some communities in Giwa Local Government, namely Angwan Sarki Yahya, Tashar Shari, Bare-Bari, Tsaunin Natal, Dillalai, Durumi and Jatin Kanwa, all on Yakawada Ward.
“Other places affected include Kaya community, Mai kyauro and Fatika. They killed 50 persons and kidnapped over 100 people. They also made strategic roads in Giwa Local Government no go areas.
“Not done with their devilish acts, they made an attempt to penetrate the Kaduna International Airport. Although the attack was foiled by vigilant security operatives, one person lost his life.
“When people were trying to come to grips with a week-long wanton destruction of lives and property, the terrorists struck again,” he said.
Sani particularly bemoaned the attacks by bandits on a Kaduna bound train carrying over 970 passengers around Kateri – Rijana axis in Kaduna, a few kilometers to the Rigasa Train Station in Igabi Local Government Area of the State.
According to the lawmaker; “The train derailed after the first wave of attacks. Grenades and RPG were used. They rained bullets on all the coaches. Some passengers were killed, while many sustained bullet wounds.
“There are reports that some of the passengers were abducted. The terrified passengers only breathed a sigh of relief when security agencies arrived and secured the train and the area. It’s been a reign of undiluted terror.
“These latest attacks are aimed at instilling fear in the people and destroying the economies of our local communities.
“It is disheartening that these enemies of the people are getting emboldened by the day. They are becoming more brazen. These blood cuddling vampires have no regard for human life. They have no place in a civilized society,” Sani said.
He expressed concern that the unrelenting attacks calls to question the strategies and tactics being adopted by our security forces, stressing that he expected that with the declaration of the bandits as terrorists by a court of competent jurisdiction, they will be degraded in no time.
The Senator noted that this appears not to be happening and therefore said that the security forces must reassess their strategies and come up with workable and effective solutions to the menace of terrorists in Kaduna State.
Sani said that the forests where the terrorists hold sway are not impregnable, adding that a comprehensive operational plan, executed with high sense of professionalism and responsibility, total commitment on the part of the security forces and the support and cooperation of the local communities will rid Kaduna State forests of the murderous elements.
He said that the advocacy for creation of State Police would bring law enforcement closer to the people.
In his words; “Effective gathering of intelligence and sustained security operations at the local level will make life uncomfortable for terrorists.
“They will have no operational base; and once again draw the attention of the Federal Government, particularly security agencies comprising the Nigeria Police, the Nigerian Army and other relevant security agencies to the grave security situation in Kaduna State and other states of the federation”, he said.
In his contribution, Senator Gabriel Suswam lamented that Kaduna had become the new theatre of insecurity, adding that the lingering activities of terrorists in the state makes it imperative for the appropriate authorities to take decisive action.
Suswam attributed the inability by the military to curtail growing incidents of terrorism to “a clear failure of leadership.”
Also speaking on the matter, Senator Danjuma La’ah (PDP Kaduna South), said if the security situation in the country is not nipped in the bud, political leaders would become the main targets of terrorists.
In its resolutions, the Senate urged President Muhammadu Buhari to declare full scale war against terrorists, so as to fully secure all of the nation’s territory from the terrorists in whatever guise.
It urged the Nigerian Army and the Air Force to carry out sustained bombardment of terrorist enclaves with a view to flushing them out and restoring peace and stability to the communities.
The Senate also directed the military to as a matter of urgency, monitor the construction and inhabitants of new shanty buildings around the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.
It urged the relevant agencies of government to step up their information gathering mechanism to forestall the incessant attacks just as it called on the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant government agencies to assist the affected communities with relief materials.
The Senate equally urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements to security operatives.
The Senate while observing a minute silence in honour of those that lost their lives in the Monday attacks, condoled the families of the victims of the attacks and the government and people of Kaduna State.
