Nigerian Senate
The Senate on Tuesday expressed grave concern at the incessant
attacks by herdsmen across the country with a warning that, if the ugly
trend was not nipped in the bud, it would turn out to be as deadly as
Boko Haram insurgency.
The motion which was raised through matters of urgent National
interest by Senator Chukwuka Utazi representing Enugu North Senatorial
District, condemned unprovoked attacks on some communities in Enugu
North on Monday where scores were left dead.
“Mr President, Distinguished Colleagues, you will recall that
on Monday about the wee hours, Fulani herdsmen attacked and maimed the
most vulnerable people in Uzo Uwani in Enugu North Senatorial District
and I want the Senate to take action,” he submitted.
Reacting to the motion, Senator Isah Misau ‘(Bauchi Central)
Senatorial District explained that the inadequate presence of Nigeria
Police in rural areas was an issue to be addressed if insecurity was to
be tackled.
Misau said the number of Police officers cannot be less than one
million to 170,000,000 people in accordance with United Nations
recommendation, while expressing regrets that Nigeria was far less.
As a follow up, Senator Shola Adeyeye, suggested that government
should introduce Community Policing as panacea to incessant killings,
while also blaming governors of States for tampering with Local
Government finances which he said, have not allowed effective operations
of Council areas.
“Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, it was high time
government revert to community Policing and part of the problem was
State governor’s interference with Local Government Areas which should
be Closer to rural areas,” he said.
The Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, in his contribution
noted that some former governors have security experiences to share
while suggesting that it was proper to be discussed at closed door
session.
In his remark, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, while
expressing condolences to the bereaved, noted that the three arms of
government should take responsibilities.
He added that through prayers, security agencies should beef up
intelligence gathering for proactive measures, while directing National
Emergency Management Agency to provide relief materials to the afflicted
communities.
The Senate also directed the Nigeria Police to establish rapid response Unit across the federation to stop and search herdsmen.
Part of the decision taken was the constitution of six-month committee with one each from the geopolitical zones of the country.
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