By Andrew Oota
The Senate is seeking a complete review of the security approach in the North West and North Central political zones of Nigeria to forestall banditry attacks.
This contained in a motion by Senator Sani Zango Daura also seeks to mitigate the rising food inflation across Nigeria .
According to the mover of the motion, the North West has been plagued by escalating banditry attacks, resulting in loss of lives, kidnappings for ransome, displacement of communities and disruption of socio-economic activities.
He argued that state governments in the North West had allocated significant funds to augment the operations of the security agencies in combating banditry and restoring peace in the region, but little or no results have been achieved.
He said, “The incessant banditry attacks in the North West region will significantly impact food production and agricultural activities, jeopardising food security and livelihood of the people in the affected states of the region, especially in the present raining season.”
Contributing, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto South), asked President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the North West, to enable the military adopt a holistic approach in addressing insecurity in the region.
He lamented that if the security situation in the region is allowed to fester, it would affect food production.
On his part, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), said, “The time to take decisive action is now. I think the leadership of the Senate should interface with Mr President to address this issue.”
Senator Muntari Dandutse (Katsina South), however, lamented that 122 persons were killed in his senatorial disctric in four local government areas within one week and called for the political will to end the killings.
He lamented lack of synergy among the security agencies saying, “There is no synergy; no coordination, no cooperation among the security agencies. We should have the political will to deal with this criminals.”
Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) said in appointing the Inspector General of Police (IGP), National Security Adviser (NSA) and other security chiefs, the President should first extract a commitment from them on the timeframe upon which to end insecurity.
After several contributions, the Senate, presided over by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, urged the relevant security agencies to collaborate with the respective state governments, local communities, traditional leaders, and stakeholders to gather intelligence and enhance security operations in the affected states.
The Senate also adopted a motion moved 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.
