By Fatima Saka
The Nigerian Senate has summoned security chiefs for an interaction, following the escalating insecurity in the country, with a specific date to be decided later.
The senate after a closed-door meeting that lasted over three hours on Tuesday, condemned the increasing incidents of kidnappings, banditry and the outright murder of innocent citizens by criminals.
Senate Leader, Michael Bamidele Opeyemi, revealed that the motion on insecurity was sponsored by all 109 senators due to its paramount importance.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, lamented the continuous banditry and kidnappings.
He noted that the situation has reached a point where middlemen are involved in collecting ransom on behalf of kidnappers.
He strongly condemned recent attacks in Plateau by bandits and the gas explosion in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
Akpabio added that a specific date will be determined for the security chiefs to appear before the Senate.
The lawmakers observed a one-minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the attacks and the Ibadan explosion before adjourning until Tuesday, February 6, 2024.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has urged President Bola Tinubu to relieve non-performing cabinet members from their duties.
He also advocated the adoption of new strategies to address the widespread insecurity ravaging the country.
Abbas gave the charge on Tuesday at the resumption of plenary from the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Lamenting the worsening security challenges which in the past few weeks led to the death of scores of Nigerians in Plateau, Kaduna and other parts of the country, Abbas noted that if not adequately addressed, the situation could degenerate to threaten the stability of the nation.
He said, “Despite numerous security measures, the menace of insecurity continues to thrive, mocking our efforts and challenging our resolve to build a cohesive, peaceful and prosperous nation.
It is a stark reminder that the conventional approaches to security we have espoused for so long are no longer sufficient. The time has come to think out of the box and adopt new and contemporary strategies that better respond to the complexities of our current challenges.
“To our patriotic and brave security forces, while commending your heroism and sacrifice, the time has come for you to review your approaches and strategies, innovate and adapt. The enemy evolves, and so must we. I challenge you to rise to this occasion, to demonstrate the indomitable spirit for which you are known, and to do more in safeguarding the lives and property of our people.”
He said as a concerned citizen, he was troubled by the widespread insecurity that grips the country.
According to him, Nigeria stands at a crucial juncture, facing formidable challenges that test Nigerians’ resolve, unity, and spirit.
“The threats of insurgency are severely testing the peace and stability of our country, the rise in kidnapping for ransom and the unsettling unrest and crises across all the six geo-political zones. Families and communities have endured immense hardships, and our hearts go out to all those affected by these tumultuous events.
“We are particularly saddened by the tragic and senseless murder of our daughters, Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar and Folorunsho Ariyo, the heinous murder of over 30 people in Plateau State, as well as many others who have fallen victim to the mindless acts of terror in the last few weeks. We also remember those who lost their lives in the blast in Ibadan triggered by explosives stored by illegal miners,” he said.
