Insecurity: Again, Senate Summons Security Chiefs

The Senate yesterday invoked its earlier resolutions to invite the security chiefs for an interactive session with the Senate to resolve the insecurity that is plaguing the country.

The upper chamber of the National Assembly insisted they must appear as security is everybody’s business, adding without security, the nation could not have progress.

Disturbed by the state of insecurity caused by multiple crimes, banditry, and a spate of kidnappings across the country, the Senate has again summoned all the service chiefs to appear before it next week.

The Senate yesterday invoked its earlier resolutions to invite the security chiefs for an interactive session with the Senate to resolve the insecurity that was plaguing the country.

The upper chamber of the National Assembly also observed a minute silence in honour of the departed.

Those summoned to appear before it by the Senate included the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar; and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Also summoned were the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi; and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The resolution of the Senate yesterday was sequel to a motion titled “Spate of Insecurity in Nigeria,” which was sponsored by the entire 107 senators and was discussed during an executive session.

According to the Senate, after brainstorming with the security chiefs, the report would be presented to President Bola Tinubu for further action, just as it stressed that they must appear against the backdrop that security is everybody’s business, and without security, Nigeria as a country cannot make progress.

The Senators went into a closed-door session from 12.20 to 2.25 p.m.

Before the executive session, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, PDP, Benue South, had come up with a point of order, citing Orders 41 and 52 on matters of urgent public importance that affect the people of Agatu.

On January 18, 2024, the people were attacked by armed bandits, who killed them and took over the place.

At this point, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who stepped down discussions on the point of order, said that there were up to five similar motions; hence, there was a need for the closed-door session to discuss all the motions.

Recall that disturbed by the attacks on Miango village in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1, 2021, carried out by armed bandits with massive killings and wanton destruction of property, the Senate on December 30, 2023, summoned the Security Chiefs to appear before it and provide an explanation for the military lapses.

Unfortunately, the meeting did not hold as the Senators passed the 2024 Appropriation Bill into law and went on a Christmas and New Year break, which lasted 30 days before they resumed plenary yesterday.

After the closed-door session, the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central, who read out the resolutions of the 109 Senators, said, “The Senate notes with sadness the rising spate of killings, kidnappings, banditry, and other criminal activities in the nation.

“The Senate further notes the recent killings in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, which led to loss of lives, including security personnel, and the desire for the destruction of properties, as well as the brutal killing of eleven residents of the Logo Local Government government Area of Benue State.”

According to the Senate leader, “The Senate equally notes the various kidnappings in the Federal Capital Territory where victims have been killed after collecting ransom.

“Senate is also aware of several cases of kidnappings all over the country where a huge ransom had been paid and several of the victims still got killed.

“Senate is also aware that the recent killings of two traditional rulers in Ekiti State and the abduction of primary school pupils in Ekiti have further aggravated the level of insecurity in the country.

“Senate notes the unfortunate bomb explosion at Bodija in Ibadan, Oyo State, where no less than five lives were lost and several residential houses, schools, hotels, and religious centres were destroyed.

“The Senate equally notes the killing of several residents of Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin Ladi communities in Plateau State.”

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Senator Akpabio, said that as lawmakers, they had a responsibility to collaborate with the executive and contribute their ideas to ensure that those in their constituencies and themselves, including their children, could sleep with their two eyes closed.

Akpabio said, “After the interactive session with the security chiefs, which we agreed that it should be next week, we would also fix a time to discuss the outcome with Mr President.

“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 the rapid progress of the country and the immediate improvement of the Nigerian economy.

“This will not be possible without a secured nation. We will take this up with Mr. President after interaction with security chiefs.”