The abduction of students of the Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State by armed bandits has triggered the anger of senators from the State against the Federal Government, as they claimed that the government is not competent in its duties, as regards security of lives and properties.
Senators Mohammed Enagi (Niger South), Sani Musa (Niger East) and Aliu Sabi Aliu (Niger North) described as unacceptable, the worsening state of insecurity in Niger State and Nigeria in general.
In a brief debate on a motion sponsored by Senator Musa, the lawmakers expressed worries that the state had become unsafe for education, agriculture, and other socio-economic engagements.
Musa, in defending his motion, informed his colleagues that the number of students in that school was more than 1000, adding that the actual number of those kidnapped was yet to be known.
Before the debate began, the Senate leadership had warned lawmakers against resorting to politics and political gimmicks during deliberations.
Consequently, all lawmakers who participated in the debate were from the APC as none from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spoke.
Use of hostile words and languages peaked when Senator Enagi lamented that none of the resolutions that had been adopted by the Senate and sent to President Buhari was executed.
According to him, the Federal Government under the leadership of Buhari is grossly incompetent.
The visibly angry lawmaker further noted that government had been evasive on issues that ought to be given attention. Enagi observed that it was unfortunate that the Federal Government was too incompetent to handle the economy in such a way as to guarantee full employment for the nation’s teeming youths.
Enagi equally suggested amendment of laws to allow governors take charge as chief security officers of their respective states, insisting that government at the centre had failed woefully.
He added that citizens might need to be allowed to bear arms through amendment of laws, if the situation persists. He said:
“I am sorry to say this, the government is grossly incompetent in handling security challenges in this country.
“In my own zone, few days ago, terrorists went to two local governments, but fortunately, my people were able to repel and killed 9 of them. In short, everybody here has a story to tell about security challenges in this country.”
The lawmaker continued:
“What else are we supposed to do that we are not doing? Are we supposed to amend laws in this country to give every citizen opportunity to carry arms? What else are we supposed to do?
“Shouldn’t we amend Nigeria’s Constitution to give more powers to governors who are the chief security officers of their various states, because, our government at the centre is so incompetent in handing security issues?”
He lamented that “For over two years, our Police and other security agents have been trying and for over two years, we discuss security challenges that we are facing, yet nothing has improved.
Also, Senator Aliu, expressed dissatisfaction that the Federal Government had been unable to ensure release of some 57 travellers kidnapped in Niger State last Sunday.
He called for a more decisive action from security agencies to get the kidnapped persons released.
Sabi cautioned Federal Government to take extra ordinary measures to halt the spate of insecurity, which he feared could spread to the Federal Capital Territory.
The Senate urged the President to declare a State of Emergency on insecurity in Nigeria. It also urged Buhari to consider and implement “the recommendations of the Senate ad-Hoc Committee on Nigeria’s Security Challenges dated March, 17, 2020 and Senate Resolutions therefrom, as a holistic response to the mounting security challenges across the country.”
