Again, Senate summons NSA, security chiefs

The Senate has again summoned all security chiefs to appear before the chamber next week over the rising insecurity in the country. Those summoned include the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; and Chief […]

The Senate has again summoned all security chiefs to appear before the chamber next week over the rising insecurity in the country.

Those summoned include the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar.

Others are the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Director General of National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed, and the Director General of Department of State Services Adeola Ajayi.

Speaking during Wednesday’s plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the service chiefs were initially invited but could not attend due to scheduling conflicts.

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He stated that the rescheduled meeting next week aims to deliberate on critical security issues and propose urgent solutions.

The Senate, The Punch added, also raised serious concerns over allegations that certain international agencies may be financing the Boko Haram insurgency.

On February 19, security chiefs were summoned to explain allegations that the United States Agency for International Development was linked to funding Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in Nigeria.

The meeting will assess these claims, address Nigeria’s broader security challenges, and shape policy responses.

Meanwhile, the Senate has urged security agencies to deploy more troops to restore law and order in Benue, following the bandit attacks and killings in Gwer-West Local Government Area of the state.

This followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Sen. Titus Zam (APC-Benue) at plenary on Wednesday in Abuja.

Zam, in the motion of urgent national importance, said there was an attack on March 10 which resulted in the killing of four persons in the council area.

He said because of the attack, irate youths took to the streets in protest against the continued killings of the people and governments’ seeming inability to protect them.

The senator said that the youth, out of anger and frustration, burnt down the local government secretariat and the palace of the traditional ruler of the area, his own private residence and the houses of older prominent indigenes of the area.

He said that the youth accused them of inability to safeguard the community.

Zam said that he had, on several occasions, moved motions and presented views on the subject matter, including, on open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment, saying that the bill was awaiting public hearing.

He said that the state House of Assembly had enacted open grazing prohibition law, which still subsists.

According to him, the inability of the present administration in Benue to enforce the law has exposed members of the National Assembly from the state to undue prejudice and name-calling by their constituents.

“This situation has emboldened the bandits and further worsened the security situation in Benue state and beyond,” he said.

The lawmaker said that the incessant attacks by bandits on the community and the local government would impact negatively on food production and agricultural activities, thus jeopardising food security and the livelihoods of residents of the affected council area.

Sen. Abba Moro (PDP-Benue), who seconded the motion, said it was sad that the continued silence and inaction on part of the state government had resulted in citizens attacking elected representatives and residents of various communities.

Moro urged the state government to take appropriate steps to safeguard the lives and property of the citizens.

The senate equally called on the state government to enforce the open grazing, prohibition and ranches establishment law of the state.

It also mandated its Committee on National Security, Army and Navy to visit the affected local government area to have an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and sympathise with the bereaved families and all those affected by the crisis.

President of the Senate, in his remarks said that the upcoming meeting with the security agencies with the senate would also centre around the security issues in Benue.