- Seeks review of security strategy
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The Nigerian Senate has tasked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make North West and North Central regions of the country safer by reviewing the current security approach in the two geo-political zones.
This is as the upper Legislative chamber also urged the president to approve the establishment of a Special Task Force to secure farmlands in the affected regions.
Furthermore, the lawmakers are canvassing effective inclusive collaboration among security agencies, state governments, local communities, traditional leaders and stakeholders to gather intelligence and enhance security operations in the affected states.
The Senators’ resolution followed the adoption of a motion co-sponsored by Senator Nasiru Sani Zangon Daura (Katsina North) and 10 other senators from the North West zone
Leading the debate, Senator Zangon Daura lamented that the North West is facing escalating banditry attacks, resulting in loss of lives, kidnappings for ransom, displacement of communities and disruption of socio-economic activities.
According to him, despite huge allocation of funds by respective state governments to augment security agencies’ operations in combating banditry and restoring peace in the region, there has been little or no results recorded.
Senator Daura stated thus; “The incessant banditry attacks in the North West region will significantly impact food production and agricultural activities, jeopardizing food security and livelihood of the people in the affected states of the region, especially in the present raining season.”
In his intervention, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto South), requested the President to declare a state of emergency in the North West to enable the military adopt a holistic approach in addressing the Zone’s security challenges.
The former Sokoto State Governor said if the security situation in the zone is allowed to fester, it will affect food production and cause more hardship for the people.
For Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), it would have been necessary that the President extracted firm commitment from the nation’s Service Chiefs on the time frame to end insecurity before appointing them.
On his part, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), said; “The time to take decisive action is now”, adding; “I think the leadership of the Senate should interface with Mr. President to address this issue.”
Also contributing to the debate, Senator Muntari Dandutse (Katsina South), raised an alarm that about 122 persons were killed in four local government areas in his senatorial districts within one week.
Addressing issues around the existing security challenges, the Senator told his colleagues that; “There is no synergy; no coordination, no cooperation among the security agencies.
“We should have the political will to deal with these criminals”.
In a related development, the Red Chamber also adopted a motion by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) and seconded by Senator Emmanuel Udende (Benue North East) that all resolutions on security in the North West be applicable to the North Central geo-political zone.
