News Editor
By David Odama
Disturbed by the alarming loss of lives and property due to the activities of terrorists and bandits in Nigeria, the Senate on Tuesday resolved to set up an adhoc committee to organise a two-day national summit to address the security challenges facing the country.
The all-inclusive summit would involve all levels of government and Nigerians, including delegates from the federal, states and local governments as well as the traditional institutions to proffer solutions to the insecurity and its challenges in the country.
The resolution followed a motion on “Urgent need for a national security summit” by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC Ondo South) and co-sponsored by Senators Titus Zam (APC Benue North West), Peter Nwebonyi (APC Ebonyi North) rand Osita Ngwu (PDP Enugu West), during plenary.
Leading debate on the motion, Senator Ibrahim attributed insecurity to the global security challenges involving Russia and Ukraine.
According to him, the insecurity has become daunting due to new order in some of the advanced countries, citing the growing impact of the tariff war in America and the rising emphasis on balance of power by various countries.
He said: “The recent events in our region have led to feelings of discomfort and insecurity which has placed the past accomplishments of our security forces at risk even though our military and its partners are striving to address these challenges.
“They do not have solutions to the global economic conflict or the effects of new American tariffs and tensions with China.
“As a result, insecurity across Nigeria has become pervasive impacting on both urban and rural areas, where banditry, ransom kidnappings and terrorism are pressing issues across the country as well as other violent crim!es.”
In his contribution, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP Bauchi Central) lamented that servicemen are being lost to bandits’ attacks each day in some states, noting that the country must rise to the occasion of taming the tide.
“If care is not taken, bandits that are running Zamfara, Benue, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi and Sokoto will take over the country and I can assure you that you cannot go to Kwali in the Federal Capital Territory without encountering bandits now,” he warned.
The lawmaker insisted on security architecture and goodwill to solve the security challenges facing the country.
In his own, Senator Enyinaya Abaribe (APGA Abia South), said there is no one among Senators that does not know what is happening in his area, calling on them to get serious and be truthful in tackling the insecurity.
Also contributing, the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP Benue South), decried daily kidnapping and abduction in Otukpo in Benue South Senatorial District, saying national security summit would afford experts to suggest solutions.
He said: “Mr President, I want to say that what is before us now is whether we want to convene a national security summit or not, and if you ask me, I will say yes.
“Security is everyone’s business and in proffering solutions, all must be carried along.”
Senator Titus Zam (APC Benue North West), in his contribution, revealed that bandits are hosting flags in occupied wards in Benue State and called for drastic action to recover the affected areas.
In his remarks, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio expressed optimism that the proposed summit which would involve governors, traditional rulers, Service Chiefs and security experts would proffer solutions to the security challenges in the country.
The 8th and 9th Senate had, on February 2018, and July 2021, organized summits to address the insecurity in the country,
