Insecurity: Senate to Grill Service Chiefs, Security Heads Behind Closed Doors Next Week

* To meet with Tinubu 

* Laments spate of kidnappings, killings, Ibadan explosion 

* Adjourns plenary for By-elections

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senate, Tuesday, resumed plenary after a one month, New Year break, and lamented the spate of insecurity in the country, noting that urgent action was needed to avoid further escalation.

To this end, the red chamber re-invoked its earlier resolution to summon the service chiefs and heads of security agencies in the country to find out efforts they are making to address the unfortunate situation and what had been hampering their works.

The Senate took the decision following a motion sponsored by the entire 109 senators and moved by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele. 

The federal lawmakers had earlier met behind closed doors for about one and a half hours to discuss the disturbing phenomenon.

The Senate, in its joint motion, noted with sadness the rising spate of killings, kidnappings, banditry, and other criminal activities in the nation. 

It decried in the resolution the recent killings in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, which led to the loss of lives, including security personnel and destruction of properties, as well as the brutal killings of 11 residents of Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The Senate equally noted with great concern the various kidnappings in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where victims were killed after collecting ransom. 

The upper chamber said it was also aware of several cases of kidnappings all over the country where huge ransom had been paid and several of the victims still got killed.

It lamented that the recent killings of two traditional rulers in Ekiti State and the abduction of primary school pupils in the state had further aggravated the level of insecurity in the country.

Senate equally noted the unfortunate bomb explosion at the Bodija area of Ibadan Oyo State where no less than five lives were lost and several residential houses, schools, hotels, and religious centres were destroyed. 

The Senate said the service  chiefs and security heads would explain to the lawmakers the killing of several residents of Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin Ladi communities in Plateau State.

The federal lawmakers therefore invoked its earlier resolutions to invite the security chiefs for an interactive session with the Senate with a view to resolving the insecurity that is plaguing the country.

The Senate thereafter observed a minute silence in honour of the departed. 

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the plenary, said the leadership will meet with President Bola Tinubu after the engagement with the military and security chiefs.

Akpabio said: “After the interactive session with the security chiefs, which we agreed that it should be next week, we would also fix a time to discuss the outcome with Mr President. 

“We have a responsibility to collaborate with the executive and contribute our ideas to ensure that our constituents and ourselves, including our children can sleep with their two eyes closed.

“Security is everybody’s business, and without security, we cannot have progress. 

“We are very determined to make laws and pass resolutions aimed at ensuring rapid progress of the country and the immediate improvement of the Nigerian economy. 

“This will not be possible without a secured nation. We will take this up with Mr. President after interaction with security chiefs.”

Similarly, the Senate President said the two chambers of the National Assembly have agreed to adjourn plenary till February 6, to enable members participate in the campaigns leading to the by-elections in various constituencies across the country on Saturday.