Insecurity: Senate tasks security agencies, States, LGs on collaboration

Insecurity: Senate tasks security agencies, States, LGs on collaboration

Insecurity

By Kingsley Okoye

Abuja, June 6,2024(NAN)The Senate has urged security agencies to collaborate State and Local Governments,  traditional leaders on intelligence gathering to tackle insecurity in the country.

This is sequel to adoption of a motion on “urgent need to review security approach in addressing banditry attacks in Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna and Kebbi states” at plenary on Thursday in Abuja.

The motion was sponsored by Sen. Sani Zangon-Daura (APC-Katsina )and co-sponsored by 20 other senators.

Daura, said Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa and Kebbi states have been plagued by escalating banditry attacks, resulting in loss of lives, kidnapping for ransom, displacement of communities.

He said state governments have allocated significant funds to augment the operations of the security-agencies in combating banditry and restoring peace in the region.

He said the governors of the states in the north west region had affirmed their commitment to supporting an acceptable and workable initiatives that promote peace, security and development in the region.

Zagon-Daura said the governors had also pledged to work towards fostering a safe and secure environment for their people.

He, however, expressed concerned that the incessant banditry attacks on communities in north west region would significantly impact food production and agricultural activities.

This, he noted jeopardises food security and livelihoods of the people in the affected states of the region, especially in this wet season.

Contributing to the motion, Senate Minority Leader, Sen.Abba Moro (PDP- Benue )said right from the 8th and 9th Senate, issue of insecurity has been on the front burner of national discuss.

“In those days it used to be Boko Haram in the north east. Today it is banditry, herdsmen attack, kidnappings in the north west, north central.

“Moving down to the south east, south west, similar situations are happening.

“The time to take decisive action is now.

“I think the action required now goes beyond reviewing our security architecture.

“This was the subject of our security summit in the 9th Senate which could have end to this current situation that we find ourselves.

Moro said it was time for the President to call a meeting of stakeholders to find lasting solution on issue of insecurity.

Sen. Muntari Dandutse (APC-Katsina) said the north west region was highly affected,adding that the economic situation was very unfortunate.

He said 50,000 farm lands can not be accessed by farmers because of banditry and other criminality.

“In my senatorial district last week, these bandits, criminals and terrorists killed 122 people in Faskari, Bakori, Malunfasi and Kankara Local Governments.

“Also one of the wards in Faskari Local Government Area has been taken over by the bandits who now perform the functions security agencies, including escorts and they decide days people will be allowed to go out for legitimate duties.

“Unless we are honest, committed and have political will to deal with these criminal elements, because they are not above the law, if there is a coordinated and efforts of the security agencies.

“On May 27, between Seme and Yankara in Faskari LG along Sokoto road, the armed bandits in the early hours ambushed a newly acquired Armoured Personnel Carrier(APC) with a rocket launcher and destroyed it .

“The escalating violence and banditry in Katsina state and Northern region pose significant threat to all faucets of development,” he said.

Following the contributions of lawmakers on the motion, Senate further urged President Bola Tinubu to direct a thorough review and evaluation of strategies employed by security agencies in the region.

It called for deployment of additional security personnel, special task force to the identified hotspots to ensure protection of lives and properties.

It further urged the President to direct establishment of a task force to evaluate the effectiveness and implications of negotiating with bandits, conducting a thorough analysis of the short-term gains versus the long-term consequences of such actions.

It called on the security agencies to be proactive and innovative in their strategies to secure farmlands so that farmers may return to their farms, to ensure increased food production and food security.

This, the senate said would mitigate against the ever rising food inflation currently being experienced in the country.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

KC/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza