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Insecurity: intrigues,Emotions, As Senate Debates State of Nation

… Asks  FG To Seek External help To Combat Rampant killings

*Wants review of ECOWAS protocol on free movement 

By Ignatius Okorocha

There were heated argument and  intense emotions by lawmakers on the floor of the the Senate on Wednesday over issues of insecurity in the country as the Senate insisted that the Federal government must flush out all criminals operating in parts of the country. 

This is as  the Red chamber has urged the Federal Government to immediately review the ECOWAS protocol of free movement as a way to checkmate the infiltration of criminal elements into the country.

The visibly agitated lawmakers who spoke vehemently over threat of banditry, kidnapping and rape against the welfare of the country, maintained that the government must act quickly to stop the activities of herders destroying lives and properties across the country. 

Debating on a motion tagged ‘General Insecurity in Nigeria’ and sponsored by Senator Boroffice Ajayi (Ondo North), who lamented noted  with sadness reports of killings, and kidnappings in Ondo State, Edo State, Oyo State, Imo State, Kaduna State, Zamfara  State, Niger State, Nasuawa State, Kebbi State and in other parts of the Country.

The lawmakers condemned rampaging threat to lives and properties in parts of the country. 

Senator Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South) lamented the laid back attitude of government in arresting the situation. 

“We are living in denial on the state of insecurity in the country. And I think that it is necessary we declared a state of emergency on the country’s security like we did with the Covid-19 because insecurity has more casualty figures in Nigeria than covid-19.” 

In his contribution, Senator Binos Yero observed that the motion was not properly titled, stating that the caption would’ve been “menace of Fulanis Herdsmen in Nigeria.” 

This is as he lamented that the group enjoys the support of the federal government to engage in atrocious without checks from any quarter. 

Senator representing Nasarawa West, Senator Abdullahi Adamu however took a swipe against the Oyo State government’s decision on the alleged kidnapping and violence by Fulanis in the state. 

“It is unfortunate that despite the provisions of the 1999 constitution which guaranteed Nigerians to live and conduct their businesses from any part of the country, some political leaders would go ahead to ask some Nigerians to leave some parts of the country.” 

Adamu’s position was swiftly opposed by Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe (Abia north) who condemned attempts by some Senators to trivialize the issue. 

The Minority Leader of the Senate explained that contrary to Senator Adamu’s remarks, “no Nigerian was sent out from any part of the country. Only criminals were asked to leave forest reserves.”

He added that “all criminals operating in the country must be flushed out.” 

On his part, Senator Michael Bamidele (Ekiti Central) reminded the Senate on the need for observance of constitutional provisions  that prohibits trespass into others land. 

This is as he maintained that state governors should be empowered to decisively deal with criminals and others who violate this constitutional provision. 

Furthermore, the decried what in their opinion was the role of international players in the security situation in the country. 

In his words, Senator Smart Adeyemi, criticized 400 billion naira earmarked by the federal government for the purchase of covid-19 vaccine. 

According to him, “What Nigeria needs is to spend that 500 billion naira on security and not on covid-19 vaccines. 

And President Muhammadu Buhari should get it clear. It is not out of place for him to ask for international support to deal with the insecurity in the country.” 

Flowing from this, the Senate urged the executive to among others, implement the national livestock transformation plan which it said is a modern scheme designed to eliminate trans-humane in order to prevent-herder conflicts and activate highly productive livestock sector in Nigeria. 

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