- Senate request executive session
- Reps calls for state of emergency
The Nigerian Senate has passed a motion calling for an executive session to discuss the issue of insecurity in different parts of the country.
All the Senators were in agreement that insecurity was destroying the country, but their opinions on how effective the issues were being tackled were different.
Senator Sani Musa particularly called attention to the dangerous activities of bandits and Boko Haram terrorists in Shiroro and Rafi Local Government Areas of Niger State.
Senator Gabriel Suswam from Benue State complained that the Executive Arm of government has shown incompetence in dealing with the problem.
On his part; Senator Seriake Dickson from Bayelsa State challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to rise up and take charge of the leadership of the country.
Also speaking; Senator Smart Adeyemi from Kogi State said the time has come to speak the truth about the situation of the country, adding that Nigeria was facing its worst instability.
On her part; Senator Biodun Olujimi from Ekiti State said she believed the lawmakers were all tired of talking about insecurity, and must now do everything necessary to deal with the problem.
Meanwhile; the President of the Nigerian Senate, Ahmed Lawan, has requested the Executive to send a supplementary budget to boost the fight against insecurity.
Senator Lawan said the Nigerian Military and security agencies need appropriate funds to get equipment and increase their manpower.
The Senate President said efforts to tackle the current security challenges would also serve to provide jobs for Nigerian youths, through recruitment into the military and security agencies.
In another development; the House of Representatives has called on President Muhammamu Buhari to declare a state of emergency on security in Nigeria.
The House also called on the Nigerian Military to carry out a comprehensive audit of arms and ammunition in their arsenal.
The Green Chamber of the National Assembly made the call following the adoption of a motion on the state of insecurity in the country, which was read out by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.