ABUJA – The Senate has called on the Federal government to declare a state of emergency in the security sector in the face of the incessant upsurge in security challenges that is devastating the lives and propertiesof Nigerians.
This dominated the debate on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday in a motion raised by the Senate majority leader, Senator Abdullahi, Yahaya Abubakar Kebbi North.
The Senate further notes that despite the comprehensive national security strategy unfolded by the federal government in December, 2019 with its clear statement of goals and objectives, the security challenges still lingers.
Noting that terrorism and extreme violence, armed banditry, kidnapping, militancy and separatist agitation, pastoralist/farmers clashes plus cattle rustling, organized crime, cross-border crimes etc is still thriving.
The Senate also pointed out that due to the disappointment and failure of government security apparatus, the citizens have devised various initiatives to protect itself using local, state, regional security outfits like : civilian JTF, Hisbah, Yausakai, Yanbanga and the recently initiated Amotekun that caused a national debate.
The Senate minority leader, senator Enyinnaya Abaribe while reacting asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign for his administration’s inability to effectively tackle the security challenges bedevilng the country.
Abaribe noted that the incessant killings of Nigerians has reached unbearable proportions, adding that the best way to solve a problem is to address it from the top.
He insisted that those who live by propaganda will die by propaganda.
Senator Betty Apiafia representing Rivers West senatorial district in her reactions asked all the service chiefs to resign and their tenures has expired and they lack new ideas to tackle the issue of insecurity in the country.
Senator Matthew Urhoghide, Edo South towed the line of senator Betty by stating that, indeed the service chiefs have overstayed their welcome and they should leave for people with fresh ideas to lead in the fight against insecurity. Urhoghide also noted that there is the need for the proper manning and closure of some of our borders which are porous.
The Senate accordingly resolved to : urge President Buhari to declare a national security emergency. To setup an ad-hoc committee to engage the security agencies and report back to the Senate.
To also engage the national security institution to discuss their operational structures, funding, equipment and staff with a view to reviewing the national architecture to make it more responsive in tackling the myraids of security challenges facing the nation.
