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Senate Demands An Urgent Upgrade Of Security Strategies Amid Rising Insecurity

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7 months ago

Jun 7, 2024.

The Senate has called for an immediate review of security strategies across all government levels due to persistent insecurity.
Former Senate leaders emphasized the urgency, highlighting the widespread impact of banditry and kidnappings.
Senator Nasiru and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, stressed the critical need for a coordinated effort and proper equipment for security agencies.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Senate has expressed concern over the persistent insecurity in parts of the country and called for an immediate review of security strategies at all government levels to address the issue.

This resolution followed the Senate’s consideration and adoption of a motion titled: “Urgent Need to Review Security Approach in Addressing Banditry Attacks in Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Kebbi States in the Northwest of Nigeria,” sponsored by Senator Sani Nasiru (APC, Katsina North).

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The Senate emphasized the need for increased collaboration between security agencies and state governments. It also urged President Bola Tinubu to direct a thorough review and evaluation of the strategies employed by security agencies in the Northwest and Northcentral regions.

It also asked the President to consider the deployment of additional security personnel/special task force to the identified hotspots to ensure the protection of life and properties.

The Red Chamber urged security agencies to take intelligence gathering more seriously.

In his contribution, former Senate Majority Leader Yahaya Abdullahi said residents were forced to make financial payments to kidnappers.

Read Also: Senate urges Fed Govt to review strategies to curb rising insecurity
He said: “Tthe entire Northcentral and the Northwest are on fire. There is no security anywhere. We pay kidnappers. This thing has become commonplace.

“We don’t see it as news again. It is ubiquitous. Are we going to continue to talk? There are no recommendations being made now that haven’t been recommended in the past.

“We must reach out to the President of this country to look at our recommendations. It is all encompassing. We have wasted a lot of resources at this National Assembly but nothing has been done. We won’t give up on this nation.”

Security Strategies

Also, former Senate Deputy Majority Leader Abdul Ningi urged the President to consider giving a time frame to the appointments of Service Chiefs.

He accused some senior security officers of compromise, saying: “We need to sit down with Mr. President and give him the information that he doesn’t have. We must give them what they need. There must be a timeline. Once they know that they can lose their jobs, they will sit up.”

In his lead debate, Senator Nasiru highlighted that “Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, and Kebbi states have been plagued by escalating banditry attacks, resulting in loss of lives, kidnappings for ransom, displacement of communities, and disruption of socio-economic activities.”

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, acknowledged the efforts of security agencies, stating, “I want to support the fact that there is a need for a coordinated effort. However, we must realize that our security agencies need the right equipment and resources to carry out this coordinated effort effectively.”

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