For the second time within weeks, President Muhammadu Buhari has been invited by the House of Representatives to meet with them to explain the worsening security siruation in the country, especially in the Northwestern flank.
An earlier invitation to him to explain the security situation appears to have been completely ignored.
The motion leading to the second invitation came from a lawmaker from his Katsina State, which is getting notorious for banditry and kidnapping, and which Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, like his Zamfara counterpart, Abdulaziz Yari, have often thrown their hands helplessly in the air over the brigandage in their domains.
Hon. Ahmed Safana in his motion called for the security of lives and properties of his constituents, stating that the recurring security threats is worsened by the fact that the armed bandits fearlessly brandish sophisticated weapons.
He wondered why the security agencies in the State have been unable to curb the incidents. He called for a State of emergency in the area if that is what it will take to bring the unfortunate situation to a halt.
Hon. Abubakar Moriki stated that the same problems suffered by the Safana’s constituency affects his own neighbouring one.
Recall that a girls’ seconday school was attacked in Moriki on Wednesday, leading to the kidnap of four staff.
An in-law to President Buhari and one of his security aides, was kidnapped while sitting i front of his house in Daura, the President’s hometown.
In fact, in a contribution to the heated debate on the motion, a lawmaker made reference to the event in Daura.
Hon. Ogbeide Ihama asked why the tenures of security chiefs will be extended when they have been found wanting. He wondered who was safe when the District Head of Daura where President Muhammadu Buhari hails from can be kidnapped.
He expressed sadness that the government has failed to address salient issues like socio-economic development and insecurity. He called on the Executive to take a critical reappraisal and do away with security hiefs found wanting.
Hon. Nnenna Ukeje expressed sadness at the plight of many communities nationwide. She expressed worry that the nation, especially the Northwest is slowly deteriorating into anarchy adding that the country’s security apparatus seems reactive and not proactive. She called for social intervention, not just military intervention.
Deputy Speaker Lasun Yussuff expressed sympathy with the families of the bereaved adding that the inability of government to transit from one level of development to another is what breeds frustration which leads to violence. He also pointed to the lack of planning for population growth as a recipe for disaster.
Hon. Edward Pwajok stated that as elected representatives of Nigerians; it behoves on members to bring to the fore the pains of their people. He expressed sadness that the military have to be engaged in civil matters. He wondered why change is not effected if incompetency is seen within the rank and file of the security chiefs.
But for Hon. Mohammed Monguno, the country is addressing the symptoms of the problem, rather than the root cause.
He blamed the lack of infrastructure development as the main cause of insecurity as it has become more lucrative to engage in acts of banditry. He called for budget increase to key sectors that can enrich the lives of Nigerians such as agriculture, so that people can be constructively engaged.
Hon. Bashir Baballe pointed out that when the nation was grappling with the beginning of the Boko Haram scourge, people thought the PDP was behind it, the PDP has come and gone, and still the problem persists. The problem he says needs a wholistic and all inclusive effort, else it is impossible to find a lasting solution.
Sergius Ogun asked for the President to address Nigerians on the burning issue of insecurity of the nation. He wondered how the country can hope to have foreign investors in a climate of insecurity.
One lawmaker, Fulata Abubakar noted that that the security situation may have persisted because of connivance by rouge agents with criminals.
Agbedi Frederick wondered why in spite of the increment in the budget allocation for defense, Nigerians are still not safe. The country, he said, is not getting the requisite benefits of increased spending on security, advocating, like another contributor, Istifanus Gyang, for State Police, since the current security architecture had failed.