October 05, (THEWILL) – The Senate has summoned Service Chiefs in the country, over the rising insecurity situation in the country.
This follows a resolution on a motion moved on Thursday, at plenary by Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua (APC – Katsina Central).
Titled “Kidnapping of University students in Federal University Dutsinma, Katsina State on Wednesday October 4th 2023 and the rising cases of kidnapping for ransom in the Northwest Geopolitical zone”, Yar’Adua in his lead debate, said the Senate notes with serious concern the kidnap of five female students of the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA) in Katsina State by gunmen from their hostel rooms in the early hours of Wednesday, October 4.
Noting the resurgence in the incidents of kidnapping in the country, Yar’Adua said, “these kidnap incidents have thrown the University and academic communities into a panic mood.”
He said the Senate was also aware of the eight Corps members who were kidnapped by suspected bandits on Monday, August 21.
“The corps members were travelling in an Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to Sokoto State, for the one-year mandatory national service, when their vehicle was intercepted by the terrorists”, he added.
The lawmakers, however, charged the military and other security agencies to conduct special operations to dislodge the bandits in the Northwest zone and other parts of Nigeria.
While calling on the federal government to urgently address unemployment and poverty in the country, the Red chamber directed the Nigeria Police to ensure security in educational institutions.
It further directed its Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure the relevant security agencies comply with its resolutions.
The Service Chiefs include Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
