January 31, (THEWILL) – The Senate, has again, summoned service chiefs to appear before it next week and proffer lasting solutions to the widespread insecurity in the country.
This is as the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, expressed its resolve to meet with President Bola Tinubu, following rising insecurity in the country.
The service chiefs including Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar; Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emma¹nuel Ogalla and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, are expected to brief the lawmakers on their efforts so far and areas they need support.
Reading a motion on the spate of insecurity in Nigeria, sponsored by the entire 109 senators and presented by Senate Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, the lawmakers noted with sadness the rising spate of killings, kidnappings, banditry and other criminal activities in the nation.
“Senate further notes the recent killings in Agatu local government area of Benue State, which led to loss of lives including security personnel and wanton destruction of properties, as well as the brutal killings of eleven residents of Logo local government area of Benue State.
“Senate equally noted other security infractions: kidnappings in the Federal Capital Territory and other parts of the country where huge ransoms were paid yet several of the victims still got killed; the recent killings of two traditional rulers in Ekiti State and the abduction of primary school pupils in Ekiti; the bomb explosion at Bodija in Ibadan, Oyo State, where no fewer than five lives were lost and several residential houses, schools, hotels, and religious centres were destroyed; the killing of several residents of Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin Ladi communities in Plateau State”, he said.
The Senate had invited the service chiefs in December 2023, but the invitation was not honoured as the lawmakers went for recess. However, Senator Bamidele asked the lawmakers to invoke its earlier resolution and invite the security chiefs with a view to finding solutions to the insecurity plaguing the country.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said after the interactive session with the security chiefs, which has been agreed for next week, they will also have a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
“We have a responsibility to collaborate with the executive and contribute our ideas to ensure that our constituents and ourselves, including our children can sleep with their two eyes closed.
“Security is everybody’s business, and without security, we cannot make progress. We are very determined to make laws and pass resolutions aimed at ensuring rapid progress of the country and the immediate improvement of the Nigerian economy.
“This will not be possible without a secure nation. We will take this up with Mr President after the interaction with security chiefs”, said Akpabio.
Meanwhile, the Senate has adjourned for one week in order to participate in the campaigns ahead of Saturday’s bye-elections.
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