- Seek audience with Buhari over insecurity
Barely 24 hours after Niger State governor, Sani Bello, revealed that Boko Haram terrorists have taken over about 50 communities in the State, the Senate has raised the alarm that some villages and communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are already under the siege of terrorists.
It, therefore, resolved to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to frontally address the country’s security challenges.
Matthew Urhoghide, from Edo State, who disclosed that some villages and communities in Abuja are already under the siege of terrorists, said: “If nothing is done in the next few days, Abuja will be the target. Already, villages within Abuja are under siege. We need to do something. Why can’t we invite powerful countries to help us? These bandits don’t know the Villa; we are the target, lawmakers. Let’s invite the United States of America, United Kingdom and other countries to help us,” he said.
Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Sabi Aliyu Abdullahi, who also warned that Abuja was the next target of the terrorists said: “In the past, we said it here that Niger State will be the next target of Boko Haram. What we predicted is coming to pass. Today, they’ve occupied Niger. Abuja is next if Niger State is not rescued by our security forces.”
A former army Colonel and senator from Gombe State, Amos Bulus, said that Boko Haram terrorists are already moving into Abuja from border communities and warned of grave consequences if nothing is done to checkmate them.
“The way these bandits and Boko Haram terrorists are moving from every corner into Abuja, something big will soon happen. If care is not taken, lawmakers will not come to the National Assembly because bandits will take over. We have to find a solution now,” he said.
Olubunmi Adetunji suggested a private session with President Muhammadu Buhari to end the crisis saying: “It is gradually snowballing into a full blown war. Enough is enough.”
Former deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, in his submission, said the government has lost legitimacy to lead having failed in its primary responsibility of securing lives of citizens.
After a long debate, the Senate resolved that Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, should lead other principal officers to meet with President Buhari on the issue.
It also resolved to summon the Service Chiefs to brief them on steps being taken to salvage the situation. No date was however fixed for the meeting.
