The Nigerian Senate has urged the Federal Government to fund the establishment of modern ranches across the country to enhance safety and economic productivity.
The Legislature also resolved to enact a law that will define the limits of economic activities under ECOWAS treaty
These came following the motion of urgent national importance titled “Urgent need to address incessant Banditry attacks/killings and displacement of innocent Nigerians in some villages at Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State” moved by Senator Anthony Yaro (Gombe South).
While presenting his motion, Senator Yaro called for urgent action to address the recurring banditry attacks in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State, following the killing of several residents and widespread destruction of property by suspected herders on December 11, 2024.
He decried the attacks on villages including Sansani, Kalindi, Powishi, and Lawushi Daji, where armed assailants killed residents, burned houses, and destroyed food supplies and livestock, leaving scores of people displaced.
Senator Yaro cited sections 33 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee the rights to life and freedom of movement for all Nigerians, emphasizing that the government has a primary obligation to protect its citizens’ lives and property.
According to him, the attacks have not only destabilized the affected communities but also threatened the peace of neighboring states such as Taraba, Bauchi and Adamawa.
He indicated that the violence has disrupted food sufficiency and major economic activities in the region.
“The recent attacks in Powishi Kalmai have resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of properties, and displacement of innocent citizens. On the night of Wednesday, December 11, 2024, suspected herders armed with dangerous weapons invaded communities of Sansani, Kalindi, Powishi, and Lawushi Daji Villages Kalmai District in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe South Senatorial District. The attackers, who rode into the communities on motorbikes, killed several residents, including a cleric, and burned down residential houses, large food stores, and livestock. Many scores of people were displaced as a result of the attacks.
The attacks have caused widespread panic and anxiety among the affected communities, and have undermined the confidence of the people in the ability of the government to protect them.
Furthermore, such development is threatening the peace and security in the area and neighboring states, such as Taraba, Bauchi, and Adamawa, and has negatively impacted food sufficiency and major economic activities in the region”.
The motion presented by Senator Yaro resolved to:
1. Observe a One-Minute Silence_ in honor of the deceased residents of the district.
2. Urge Investigation and Prosecution of the perpetrators by the Inspector General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Director-General of the Department of State Security Services.
3. Establish a Joint Task Force in Billiri Local Government Area to prevent future attacks.
4. Provide Relief Materials_ to the victims through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and North East Development Commission.
5. Mandate the Senate Committee_ on Legislative Compliance, Police Affairs, and National Security and Intelligence to ensure compliance and proffer a lasting solution.
Several senators contributed to the motion, including Senator Abdul Ningi from Bauchi Central, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Senator Titus Tartenger from Benue North West, Senator Garba Maidoki from Kebbi South, Senator Seriake Dickson from Bayelsa West, and Senator Adams Oshiomhole from Edo North.
Their contributions demonstrated the Senate’s commitment to addressing the security challenges facing the country.
Thereafter, the Senate observed a minute’s silence in honour of those who lost their lives and also urged the Inspector General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the attacks, arrest the perpetrators and prosecute them.
It also called for the urgent establishment of a joint police and military taskforce in Billiri Local Government Area to prevent further killings and requested the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the North East Development Commission to provide relief materials to the displaced victims.
The Nigerian Senate also mandated its Committees on Legislative Compliance, Police Affairs, and National Security and Intelligence to ensure compliance with these resolutions and to develop lasting solutions to the insecurity in the area.
Olusola Akintonde
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