The Nigerian Senate has urged the federal government to direct for the establishment of a permanent military and police command base at Niger East to curtail escalating insecurity.
Indeed, the upper legislative chamber also called on the chief of defence staff, the chief of army staff and the Inspector General of police to deploy troops to defend unarmed populace in Niger East and bring back security to the affected communities.
This is followed a motion on urgent need for the government to bring an end to the menace of insecurity and terrorism in Niger East and other parts of Nigeria, sponsored by Senator Musa Mohammed Sani (APC, Niger East) on Tuesday at the senate.
The lawmaker bemoaned that the senate have passed several resolutions, set up Ad-hoc committees on security, held National Security summits and declared every support at bringing an end to the persistent insecurity in Nigeria, appropriated monies and also advanced numerous steps to support the nation’s security agencies, yet insecurity has continued to elude the nation.
Specifically, the sponsor of the motion noted that for seven years, Niger East Senatorial district of Niger state have come under constant and sustained multiple deadly attacks by Boko Haram terrorists.
He explained that confirmed reports emanating from those affected areas of Allawa and Bassa towns in Shiroro local government of the state indicated that the joint security task force stationed there have been withdrawn.
Senator Sani warned that the continous security challenges by terrorists on towns, villages and communities in Shiroro, Rafi and Munya local government areas of Niger state have meted untold hardship on the people.
“If this menace is not addressed, the attacks will continue and the danger is that it may escalate further to other communities.
“The farming communities may desert their farms this season and this will negatively affect the food sufficiency and economic diversification policy of the government”.
Consequently, he further urged the senate to direct the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials and medical support team to the victims.
