Senate may consider committee’s report on insecurity next week – Lawan

The report of the Senate ad-coc Committee on Security Challenges with a view to finding solutions to Nigeria’s security problems may be considered at plenary next Tuesday

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, made the disclosure yesterday.

His disclosure was sequel to the consideration of a motion sponsored by Senator Aishatu Ahmed (APC /Adamawa Central) during plenary.

The Senate had on January 29, set up the ad-hoc committee chaired by the Senate Leader, Sen. Yahaya Abdullahi, to interface with the security agencies on the level of insecurity in the country and report back within two weeks.

According to Lawan, the Senate will engage with the executive arm of government on the resolutions of the ad-hoc committee as contained in its report.

He added that the Senate will also work closely with the House of Representatives and Nigerians towards ensuring that solutions are found to the lingering security problems in the country.

He said: “The Senate discussed and debated so much on the insecurity in the country and set up an ad-hoc committee under the leadership of the Senate leader.

“The committee is working very hard; we are trying to look for solutions to the insecurity bedevilling the country. We are not going to rest on our oars until we are able to provide solutions.

“This is the essence of our being in government. Of course, it will require that we work with the House of Representatives and the executive as well as the citizens because I believe that the citizens have to be taken into confidence in the fight against insecurity.

“So, we will not waste any time as soon as the report is ready; I believe by next week, probably the report will be ready. We are going to look at the report of the ad-hoc committee and take those important and very viable resolutions, and engage with the executive.

“I think we are on the same page with the executive; everybody is worried and we will do whatever it takes, and I normally say, if we have to invest so much money, so be it because there’s nothing more important than life, even infrastructure.

“Life is more important than anything, so we need to protect the lives of Nigerians who have sent us here.”

Earlier, Sen. Ahmed, in raising a point of order, bemoaned the attacks in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa state by insurgents on February 21.

The senator stated that three soldiers were killed in the attack, while properties worth millions of naira were burnt or destroyed including public hospitals, schools, telecommunication facilities, police stations and other facilities.

“As a result of this, there is the urgent need to take more drastic actions in the face of such affront on the national security architecture, the region and indeed, the entire nation is long overdue.

“In view of the enormity of the situation, the federal government needs to put more innovative measures in place to frontally confront these challenges,” she advised.

Consequently, the Senate in a three-point resolution urged the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, to re-establish a military command base in Garkida and also all major settlements bordering the Sambisa Forrest.

The Senate called on the North East Development Commission to immediately embark on the rehabilitation of public and religious institutions destroyed and provide assistance to individuals affected in the attack.

Also, it urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assess the extent of damage and provide relief materials to victims of the attack in Garkida community.

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The senator stated that three soldiers were killed in the attack, while properties worth millions of naira were burnt or destroyed including public hospitals, schools, telecommunication facilities, police stations and other facilities.

“As a result of this, there is the urgent need to take more drastic actions in the face of such affront on the national security architecture, the region and indeed, the entire nation is long overdue.

“In view of the enormity of the situation, the federal government needs to put more innovative measures in place to frontally confront these challenges,” she advised.

Consequently, the Senate in a three-point resolution urged the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, to re-establish a military command base in Garkida and also all major settlements bordering the Sambisa Forrest.

The Senate called on the North East Development Commission to immediately embark on the rehabilitation of public and religious institutions destroyed and provide assistance to individuals affected in the attack.

Also, it urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assess the extent of damage and provide relief materials to victims of the attack in Garkida community.