The Nigerian Senate has urged President Bola Tinubu to revamp the security response to the persistent bandit attacks plaguing the North West and North Central regions. This call was made during a plenary session on Thursday, following a motion co-sponsored by Senator Nasiru Zangon-Daura (APC, Katsina North) and ten other lawmakers from the North West zone.
Senator Zangon-Daura highlighted the escalating insecurity in the region, noting the significant loss of lives and the captivity of many Nigerians. He emphasized that despite substantial financial allocations from state governments to support security operations, there have been minimal results.
"The ongoing banditry will severely impact food production and agricultural activities, threatening food security and livelihoods, particularly during the current rainy season," Zangon-Daura warned.
Senator Aminu Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto South) called for a state of emergency in the North West to enable a decisive military response. "There is a need for a state of emergency on insecurity in the North West," he stated, expressing concerns about the potential adverse effects on food production.
Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) urged immediate and decisive action, advocating for direct engagement between Senate leadership and President Tinubu to address the crisis.
In a poignant contribution, Senator Muntari Dandutse (APC, Katsina South) revealed that 122 people were killed in his district within a week, underscoring the urgent need for political resolve to combat the violence. He criticized the lack of coordination among security agencies, calling for enhanced synergy and cooperation.
Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) stressed that any appointment of security chiefs by the President should include a clear commitment to a timeframe for ending insecurity.
The Senate also recommended the formation of a task force to secure farmlands, aiming to boost food production and address the rising cost of food nationwide. The motion was adopted, with an extension to apply these security measures to the North Central geo-political zone, as moved by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) and seconded by Senator Emmanuel Udende (APC, Benue North East).
The plenary, presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, called on security agencies to collaborate with state governments, local communities, traditional leaders, and stakeholders to enhance intelligence gathering and security operations.
