The Immediate-past Senate President, Bukola Saraki on Tuesday said the worsening security in the country has overwhelmed President Muhammadu Buhari.
While adding that the President and his All Progressives Congress (APC) regime needs urgent help and must seek such.
He made this known in a statement made available to newsmen , lamented the multiple attacks on lives and properties in the country on Monday which claimed at least 15 cops and five soldiers, as well as the killing of abducted students of Greenfield University in Kaduna, adding that the situation “cannot continue” and “cannot become Nigeria’s new normal”.
The chieftain of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party said, “It is obvious that President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress government need help. They have been overwhelmed by the situation and they sure need assistance from all. Thus, I urge Mr. President to seek help wherever it can be given. This matter has gone beyond what the government can handle alone. The President should know that calling for help in our present situation is not a sign of weakness.”
Saraki, also advised the President to bring together all former Presidents and heads of state, serving and former chief justices, serving and former presiding officers of the National Assembly, serving and former heads of security agencies, traditional rulers with relevant experience, leaders of the private sector, development partners, friends of Nigeria in the international community and all others who can help in finding solutions to the problem at hand.
“The meeting must hold expeditiously and must be followed by immediate actions. I know there are many people who believe that the fact that this suggestion is coming from a source outside government is a good reason for the President to ignore it. I think the attitude this time around must be different. This is definitely not a time for partisanship or for people to play politics with the lives of the citizenry and the future of the country,” he said.
Saraki further called on the National Assembly “to be more assertive in finding solutions to this issue of insecurity” He said the legislature would not be helping the Buhari regime if they did not become more insistent and decisive in their approach to getting the security crisis tackled immediately.
“Even those of us in the opposition party recognise the fact that we can only exist if we continue to have a country. Thus, we are willing to cooperate with the government in finding solutions to this problem. Our former leaders, I am sure, are ready, willing, and able to assist the government with their wealth of experience.
However, all these actors will not jump into the arena without the government facilitating their intervention. The government needs to call on them before this problem consumes all of us.”
“I appeal to Mr. President to take the bull by the horn. He should act to stem the tide of this violence threatening to tear the country apart,” he concluded.
The Senate at Tuesday plenary expressed displeasure over the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria.
This is as they mandate its leadership to book an appointment with President Muhammadu Buhari and Service Chiefs to discuss the issue and proffer lasting solutions.
The senators aired their various views while contributing to a motion of urgent national importance, titled ‘Need for federal government to deploy troops and other security apparatus to immediately bring an end to the menace of insurgency and terrorism in Niger State and other parts of Nigeria,’ sponsored by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (Niger East).
This is as the President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, rejected a proposal by some senators to shut down the Senate for a while and deliberate behind closed doors on a daily basis, regarding the security issue.
The Senate also resolved to invite the service chiefs to brief them on what they’ve been doing to tackle the menace.
It further resolved to invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs, its defence counterpart, and the Director General of Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA) to discuss the regional implications of the security challenges.
The Senate also called on the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the Chief of Army Staff (CAS) and the Inspector General of Police (IG) to immediately deploy troops to defend the unarmed populace and bring back security to the affected communities.
The Red Chamber charges the CAS and the IG to as a matter of urgency direct the establishment of a permanent military and police command base at the axis adjoining Shiroro and Rafi Local Government Areas respectively and to redesign the modus operandi of the military operations within the affected areas so as to curtail the escalating insecurity.
While also directing the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to, as a matter national emergency, provide relief materials and medical support team to the victims immediately.
Moving the motion, Musa lamented that the activities of bandits and Boko Haram terrorists in Niger State have taken a dangerous dimension.
He , however, recalled that the Senate had made several resolutions, set up Ad hoc Committee on Security and declared every support at bringing to an end the persistent insecurity in the country, yet insecurity has continued to elude the nation.
He said; for almost seven years, the Niger East Senatorial District have come under constant and sustained multiple deadly attacks by heartless and venomous Boko Haram terrorists who are always heavily armed with assorted sophisticated and dangerous weapons unleashing their horror on innocent populace.
He also noted that about 42 communities across the two local government areas of Shiroro and Munya have so far fallen under the Boko Haram control with about 5,000 villagers already displaced in the last three days.
He said the Boko Haram terrorists have mounted their flags in many of the villages they have captured, such as Kaure, Alawa and Magami, and the inhabitants of the war-torn parts of the state have been abandoned and left to their fate thereby compelling them to wallow in perpetual agony and abject misery.
”They have kidnapped many and their wives seized from them and forcefully attached to Boko Haram members. Three military camps in Allawa, Bassa and Zagzaga in the two local government areas have been sacked and some security personnel killed by the insurgents in the last one month of renewed attacks
The negative effects of atrocities committed by these heartless monsters in the period under review include among others, total collapse of the local economies of the affected victims, total collapse of educational system in the affected areas, famine due to collapse of agricultural activities, displacement as a result of desertion of crisis prone areas, depopulation as a result of wanton deaths, social vices such as drug abuse and thuggery emanating from struggle for survival, trauma arising from serial rape cases and inhumane, cruel and deadly subjugation,” Musa said.
The repeated attacks, according to him, are taking place amid the absence of slightest hindrance, resistance or confrontation from the authorities concerned.
Musa called for a total review of the nation’s security architecture, adding that if this menace is not drastically addressed, the attacks will continue and the danger is that it may escalate further to other communities.
Other senators thereafter took turns to voice their views in support of the motion
Meanwhile, Senator Sabi Abdullahi (Niger North) said something drastic has to be done to curb the menace.
According to him; ”We are here once again discussing this unfortunate issue of insecurity. It is indeed with a very heavy heart that I lend my support to this motion. In this chamber, we’ve traced the genesis and possible scenario as narrated by the motion sponsor, even before the crisis got to Niger State, we have discussed it thoroughly. My concern is that something drastic needs to be done. I represent Niger North, and my constituency is in constant attack. They have driven all the farmers away and the bandits now occupy those areas.”
Similarly, Senator Bima Enagi (Niger South) lamented that the federal government is handling the issue of insecurity with kid gloves.
”The situation is bad, our women, men can’t go to the farms or fetch water. Nigerians can’t continue to bear this pain, we can’t continue to allow Boko Haram to force our young girls into marriage or wreak havoc. The federal government is handling this with kids gloves, people are dying everyday. We can’t continue to come here to talk, something must be done,” he said.
Also speaking, Senator Ike Ekweremadu said nothing has come out of the many security-related motions moved by the lawmakers over the years.
According to him, ”Our citizens are killed, police stations destroyed on a daily basis. Mr President recall that in the 8th Senate, you headed a summit where we discussed the security situation of the country and made recommendations, but nothing has happened about that. In this particular Senate, we have several lawmakers moved several motions on this. It’s time for us to sit up and take the business of protecting our people seriously.”
Contributing, Senator Smart Adeyemi opined that government should get help from outside as the country is bleeding.
The ranking senator said: ”The president must rise to the occasion, the country is on fire. We cannot keep quiet any longer. Our security system has collapsed, we need help from outside. The security architecture we have today can’t fight this. The president must know that the country is bleeding.”
On his part, Senator Amos Bulus said: ”We keep saying the same thing, no results, we need to do a follow up, the time is now. Look at what is happening in Niger, Borno, Benue and so on. What are going to do? We can’t continue to talk? A time will come when we can’t enter this chambers anymore if care is not taken.”
The Senate President while rejecting the proposal by some senators to shut down the Senate for some time as they deliberate behind closed doors on the issue, suggested that supplementary budget is needed to recruit more security personnel and purchase arms.
Lawan said: ”What we’ve done today is to speak the mind of our people, how they are faring in the security situation of the country. But what is crucial is to proffer solutions. I don’t think it’s the best of ideas to close the Senate because there’s serious security situation, it’s when there’s challenges that you should be opened not closed, we shouldn’t be detached or discouraged. This is the essence of parliament.
There’s no arm of government that’s not concerned about the security situation of the country, everyone is concerned. We must appropriate funds for the military, they require additional man power, and they can’t do that without funds being appropriated for them. So we need to have a supplementary budget, not only for recruitment but for procurement of weapons. It’s going to be expensive but that’s an investment that’s worthwhile. We appeal to our citizens, this is a case in our lives, we are already in it and by the grace of God we will get out of it.
”As government plays its roles, citizens should do theirs as well. There’s no intelligence without the help of the citizens. I also commend our security forces, they work with less than what they should have, some paid the ultimate sacrifice. In my state last week, so many policemen were killed. They do this work with very limited resources and it’s our duty to give them all the support they require, as well as hold them accountable. We urge the executive arm of government to request for supplementary budget to give our armed forces the resources they require.”
Adopting the motion, the senators thereafter observed a minute silence for all the victims of the callous acts of criminality across the country
A former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu had submitted that the Nigeria must remain united to tackle the myriad of challenges facing the country.
The National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while canvassing for people’s support for President Muhammadu Buhari as he address the nation’s challenges, while stressing that his personal relationship with the president remains very cordial.
Speaking after an hour closed-door meeting with President Buhari, Tinubu, who was in company with the former Interim National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, emphasised that a concerted and united response was what is needed presently to address the various crises facing Nigeria.
Tinubu stated that, some of the ingredients needed to overcome the crises include “cooperation, understanding and determination, effective security and effective information.
He added that there is no president who will want his country in chaos asking: “Have you seen one? Point one to me. There is no one that will want his citizens exposed to banditry and danger.
“There’s no president or leader that will want his nation fractured by tribalism, religious differences and all that. It calls for serious management and serious evaluation and dialogue once in a while.”
While stressing that he was at the State House to dialogue with President Buhari on finding solutions to the various national challenges currently facing the country, Tinubu urged Nigerians to support the government in its journey to finding solutions to all national challenges.
According to him, the current discomfort being faced by Nigeria cannot be said to be peculiar to Nigeria but was quick to add that finding solutions through consultations and exchange of views and ideas on how to change the fortunes of the country should be collective and contributive.
He hinted that; “My visit is to generally review the perceptions going on outside there and equally focus on the security across the country more. The president will have more information than we have, but we are his ears close to the ground and we have to exchange views so that a better Nigeria is grounded. That’s all.
“The best way is what we are doing; coming together to reduce banditry, to move for unity and be able to bring a better Nigeria to the people. The welfare of our people is extremely important. And yes, every nation will go through this curves and difficult times. How we communicate it to the people, what are the areas to help make it easier for people to bear, those are ideas on how to be able to change the leadership of the country.”
On the perceived frosty relationship between him and President Buhari, the APC National Leader said they have continued to maintain a cordial relationship, explaining that he doesn’t have to be seen often at the seat of government.
“There is nothing like that, nothing like unhealthy. Who is our doctor? Is it social media that is measuring the relationship? I don’t have to disturb him openly on camera. No, we have so many ways to look at issues. We have nothing like that. We have very close and cordial, frank and honest relationship,” he said.
On the forthcoming 2023 general election and the chances of the APC returning as ruling party, he said: “I don’t want to predict that one right now, I don’t want to do that subject now. The chances are as bright as a midnight star. We’ll continue to work for a better Nigeria and that’s what we need.
“We cannot interject politics and assumption into everything, we have a nation to build, we have a baton to pass. You can depend on Buhari that he will not spend one hour beyond his tenure. He will do that, he will comply with the Constitution. So, how it happens? Read the Nigerian Constitution and find out from INEC website.”
The British Minister for Africa, James Duddridge on Tuesday described Nigeria’s security situation as massively complex.
Duddridge hinted that no partnership would resolve the multiplicity of the country’s problems, whether it is Boko Haram insurgency or a number of other issues.
He gave this hint while fielding questions from newsmen in Abuja during his courtesy visit to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.
According to him “The situation is massively complex and no partnership is going to resolve the multiplicity of problems whether it is Boko Haram or a number of other issues,” Duddridge said.
“In the UK, you have a strong partner across the full gamut of issues. So, it’s not just about intelligence and hard security and military, it’s about societies, it’s about humanitarian support, it’s about education and development partnership.
“It is not an end game, we don’t get to a point where we would say ‘this is the end of our relationship with Nigeria’ because we got what we want, we set a higher bar, we’re long -term partners.” he said.
He said also recognised the role that Nigeria played in African, saying both Nigeria and the UK would deepen post-COVID-19 relations and work together to tackle climate change.
He also sought the need for both countries to realize the objectives of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement.
Earlier in his address , Onyeama had said Nigeria was dealing with very difficult challenges, especially the unconventional nature of the fight against Boko Haram insurgency and terrorism.
“It is asymmetrical warfare, and we’re dealing with very difficult situations. We have an intelligence fusion unit with our partners -the US, UK, France,’’ he said.
He said Nigeria was struggling with unemployment and high inflation level, but that the country was gradually overcoming the situation.
He applauded the British Government for all the support given to Nigeria to tackle her numerous challenges, especially in the Northeast.
Also, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, who also received Duddridge yesterday, sought the support of the British Government to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
Duddridge was at the National Assembly in company of the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing.
“We believe that our country, our government has to do a lot to secure the people, their lives and their property and this is the time that all our friends across the world need to support us, give us the kind of support that we need.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday appealed to the international community to support Nigeria and the sub-region in tackling the growing security challenges to avoid spillovers.
Buhari made the appeal in a virtual meeting with the US Secretary of State, Mr Anthony Blinken.
Nigeria is in the spotlight over rising security challenges in all parts of the country including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and agitations for secession.
According to him, hundreds of people have been killed recently amid suggestions that security forces have been overwhelmed and therefore the need to seek for foreign support to stem the tide.
Though President Buhari did not give details on the nature of support Nigeria and other African countries need to address their security challenges, he nonetheless urged the United States to reconsider relocating the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) from Stuttgart, Germany, to Africa, nearer the Theatre of Operation. President Buhari said AFRICOM, which partners with countries to counter transnational threats should be relocated to Africa to strengthen ongoing efforts to check the security situation.
He said; “The security challenges in Nigeria remain of great concern to us and impacted more negatively, by existing complex negative pressures in the Sahel, Central and West Africa, as well as the Lake Chad Region.
“Compounded as the situation remains, Nigeria and her security forces remain resolutely committed to containing them and addressing their root causes. The support of important and strategic partners like the United States cannot be overstated as the consequences of insecurity will affect all nations hence the imperative for concerted cooperation and collaboration of all nations to overcome these challenges.
“In this connection, and considering the growing security challenges in West and Central Africa, Gulf of Guinea, Lake Chad region and the Sahel, weighing heavily on Africa, it underscores the need for the United States to consider re-locating AFRICOM Headquarters from Stuttgart, Germany to Africa and near the Theatre of Operation,’’ he said in a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina.
President Buhari also congratulated Blinken on his appointment by President Joe Biden and commended the United States for the decision to repeal the immigration restriction known as the “Muslim ban’’, re-joining the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
The Secretary of State, who said he was pleased to make Nigeria part of his “first virtual visit to Africa,” noted that Nigeria and the United States of America, share a lot in bilateral issues.
He added that he would be delighted to build on the foundation that was laid between the two countries over 60 years ago, disclosing that areas of discussion with Nigeria would include “how to build our economies back after the COVID-19 pandemic, security for vulnerable communities and climate issues.”
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State on Monday night hinted that there is the need for President Muhammadu Buhari to support in order to win the war against the Boko Haram insurgents group terrorising the North-East geo-political zone.
He made this known after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to him; “it’s pathetic” the recent attacks on Damasak and Geidam which saw hundreds of people fleeing the two towns for safety.
The governor said it was his duty to tell President Buhari the truth about the current situation in the northeast.
He commiserated with the Nigerian Army over the attack on Brigade headquarters, where many soldiers, men and officers were killed.
He said: “In Borno, particularly, Brigade headquarters was attacked, many soldiers, men and officers of the Nigerian Army were killed.
“Let me use this opportunity to extend my condolences to the families of the deceased, may God, in His infinite mercy, forgive them.
“I think it is my own responsibility to come and say the truth to Mr President.
“Let him know what is going on in the entire Northeast sub-region.
“I think there is a need for us to get support for us to succeed in this war against insurgents. It’s very pathetic. A few days ago, Damasak was attacked, hundreds of people started fleeing Damasak and now Geidam is almost deserted, many people have left Geidam.”
Asked to speak on the cause of the deteriorating security situation in his state, the governor said: “I think the military is yet to receive some of the equipment that they have ordered for.”
The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of working for the Fulani ethnic stock to take over Nigeria.
He made this known on Tuesday while reacting to the recent killing of residents allegedly perpetrated by herdsmen in parts of the North-Central state.
He also lamented that no fewer than 70 people have been killed in the last two weeks in three local governments of his state.
The governor, who said the killings cannot continue, said, “What is happening now, to me, is very clear; Mr President is just working for these Fulanis to take over the whole country.
“His body language is what is being played out. The body language, the action and inaction of Mr President shows that he is only the President of Fulani people; I have known this.
“We are becoming a Banana Republic, if we have a President who gave the security agencies order to shoot at sight, whosoever is having AK-47 and the Minister of Defence came out to say that they cannot shoot at sight… so who is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces?”
Ortom further stated that , the people of Benue are being overstretched and running out of patience due to the incessant attacks on their communities
“Mr President must rise up, he is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and over the 250 nationalities that are in this country; Mr President is their President, we all voted him.
“He has taken oath of office to secure the country and provide security for lives and property; this is unacceptable, this cannot continue,” the governor stated.
Angry mob in Apo on Tuesday morning took laws into their hands and killed Five armed robbers in Apo.
The heavily armed robbers, as our correspondent gathered robbed POS Operators and traders around Apo Mechanic Village successfully with out any hitch.
Luck, however, ran out on them as angry traders searched them out of their hiding places and killed them instantly in what could best be described as Jungle justice.
Newsfocusng gathered that when one of the traders recognized one of the robbers and lead the traders to his house.
Our correspondent gathered that, after the operation, the traders and residents mobilized in their numbers to the house of the robbers and killed two of them on the spot at Apo Area.
They also traced three others to kabusa and Waru area where they dragged them out and killed them too.
Effort to reach the FCT Command Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mariam Yusuf proved abortive as at the time of filling this report.
About 8 Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Abagana IDP camp in Makurdi Local Government Area (LGA) of the state were on Monday night shot to death by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Others say the figures of the dead could be higher.
The incident , however, led to protests, where by youths and some displaced persons blocked the Lafia/Makurdi highway and insisted that troops posted to keep the peace should leave the state.
Some of the IDPs lamented the recent posting of the new leadership of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), arguing that the attacks on people of the state has trembled in the last few weeks the posting was made.
Governor Samuel Ortom had to drive to the area and calm frayed nerves before the youths, opened the road to traffic.
Police in Ekiti State disrupted a cult initiation ceremony in a bush behind Ekiti State University campus in Iworoko-Ekiti and arrested five students for cult activities.
The suspects were Adeyeye Adeyemi, 29, Adeyemi Tobi, 25, Moyosore Onajobi, 22, Dickson Godwin, 23, and Olowosaye Martins, 21.
Our correspondent gathered that police had information that some members of the Black Axe (Aiye secret confraternity) were holding an initiation rite inside a bush behind EKSU campus in Iworoko-Ekiti which lead to the arrest of five students.
Items recovered from the scene included one locally-made pistol, two expended cartridges, one gallon containing liquid drug, weeds suspected to be hemp and two motorcycles.
A team of the RRS operatives and police personnel of Iworoko Divisional Police Headquarters stormed the bush and the suspected cultists shot sporadically on sighting them.
During the raid, five suspects were arrested and all claimed to be students of Ekiti State University while other suspects took to their heels.
Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tunde Mobayo, has ordered a thorough investigation and arrest of the fleeing suspects.
