By Samuel Solomon
The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, resolved to summon the Service Chiefs and Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to appear before lawmakers and account for funds allocated and released for security operations amid worsening insecurity across the country.
The resolution was passed, sequel to the adoption of a motion on urgent public importance on the need to contain the recurring bandits’ attacks in Zamfara State, and other North West states, sponsored by Chairman, House Committee on North West Development Commission, Honourable Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi.
This is as the lawmakers expressed concern that despite huge budgetary allocations to the defence sector over the years, bandits and kidnappers continue to operate with relative ease, carrying out attacks and mass abductions across parts of the country.
Gumi, who represents Gummi/Bukkuyum federal constituency of Zamfara, expressed displeasure over security in the state and the entire North-West as it has escalated into a complex humanitarian crisis, driven by banditry, kidnappings, and the infiltration of transnational jihadist groups.
He specifically lamented the activities of the bandits who abducted seven students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara, at their off-campus students’ hostel on the night of June 2 into the early hours of June 3.
“Earlier, two senior lecturers of the same polytechnic, were kidnapped and have been in captivity for more than two months, despite ransom payments for their release,” Gumi said.
“The House is further aware of the violent attack by bandits on Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where four people were killed and several travellers abducted. In Talata Marafa Local Government Area, a councillor and a director, were abducted while travelling from Jangebe to the local government headquarters over Hajj activities for intending pilgrims from Jangebe.
“The bandits killed both of them after refusing to collect any ransom,” he said.
While expressing regrets over the escalation of bandits’ attacks in other North West states of Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Jigawa, he gave a vivid account of various heinous incidents that ravaged the North West zone.
“On May 31, about 17 villagers were killed when bandits invaded Dangulbi community in Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
“It was also reported that more than 15 communities in Tureta and Sabon Birni local government areas of Sokoto State, have been deserted due to constant bandits’ attacks.
“In Katsina State, a former Director of Defence Information of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Rabe Abubakar Batsari (rtd), and his wife, were abducted when their vehicle was ambushed along the Marabar Musawa-Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area on May 30.”
He lamented that continuous and unchallenged movement of bandits between the towns, states and their hideouts undermines the credibility of the nation’s security.
The House also called for immediate executive action over the surge in banditry, daily abduction of school children and killing of innocent Nigerians in places of worship across the country.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion on urgent public importance, sponsored by Honourable Okwara Osonwa, member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency of Abia State.
In his lead debate, Osonwa, who doubles as deputy Chairman of House Committee on FCT Judiciary, observed that the fundamental constitutional obligation of the Federal Government as enshrined in Section 14(2b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”.
He decried that the daily abduction of innocent school children has not only disrupted the educational fabric of the nation, but also forced thousands of children out-of-school, compounding the country’s out-of-school children estimated at over 12 million, thereby traumatising an entire generation of young Nigerians.
He noted with grief the unrelenting, daily escalation of banditry, mass kidnappings and terror attacks across various states, which have left the nation in perpetual fear.
“The House also notes that the disturbing and systematic targeting of educational institutions and places of worship, which has turned schools once sanctuaries of learning and churches’ sanctuaries of spiritual solace into prime targets for ruthless bandits and kidnappers.
“The House is convinced that if the recurring trend of insecurity and kidnapping in Zamfara State and the entire North West zone is not checked, it will destroy lives and ruin the socio-economic fortunes of the entire North West zone,” stated.
The House also urged ministers of agriculture, environment, education, humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction and North West Development Commission to explore other non-kinetic option of solving the insecurity.
However, it mandated its Committee on Defence and other relevant committees to ensure compliance and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.
