Senate Urges Comprehensive Review of Security Strategies Amid Escalating Insecurity in Northwest Nigeria

The Senate has raised alarms over the persistent insecurity plaguing parts of Nigeria, particularly in the Northwest and Northcentral regions. Urging immediate action, the Senate called for a thorough review and overhaul of current security strategies to effectively combat the menace.

This resolution followed the Senate's consideration and adoption of a motion titled “Urgent need to review security approach in addressing banditry attacks in Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Kebbi States in the Northwest of Nigeria,” sponsored by Senator Sani Nasiru (APC, Katsina North). The motion emphasized the critical need for increased collaboration between security agencies and state governments.

The Senate has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct a comprehensive review and evaluation of the strategies employed by security agencies in the affected regions. Additionally, the Senate recommended the deployment of additional security personnel and special task forces to identified hotspots to ensure the protection of life and property. Emphasis was also placed on the importance of enhanced intelligence gathering.

During the session, former Senate Majority Leader Yahaya Abdullahi highlighted the dire situation, stating, "The entire Northcentral and the Northwest are on fire. There is no security anywhere. We pay kidnappers. This thing has become commonplace. We don’t see it as news again. It is ubiquitous. Are we going to continue to talk? There are no recommendations being made now that haven’t been recommended in the past. We must reach out to the President of this country to look at our recommendations. It is all-encompassing. We have wasted a lot of resources at this National Assembly, but nothing has been done. We won’t give up on this nation."

Former Senate Deputy Majority Leader Abdul Ningi also contributed, urging the President to implement a timeline for the appointments of Service Chiefs to ensure accountability. He accused some senior security officers of compromising their positions, stating, "We need to sit down with Mr. President and give him the information that he doesn’t have. We must give them what they need. There must be a timeline. Once they know that they can lose their jobs, they will sit up."

In his lead debate, Senator Nasiru underscored the severity of the situation, noting that "Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, and Kebbi states have been plagued by escalating banditry attacks, resulting in loss of lives, kidnapping for ransom, displacement of communities, and disruption of socio-economic activities."

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, called for a coordinated effort and commended the efforts of security agencies thus far. He stressed the need for proper equipment and resources to enable security forces to effectively carry out their duties.