The Nigerian House of Representatives demanded a State of Emergency to be imposed on security following the recent attacks on various communities across the country.
Security summit
The House is to also summon the National Security Adviser and Service Chiefs as well as organize a Security Summit to deliberate on the way forward to security challenges.
Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila gave the 11-point resolution of the House after the session and directed all the security-related Committees of the House to immediately commence comprehensive audit of all military and paramilitary assets and arms in our Armed Services.
The Speaker said “The House reiterates its commitment to the security and corporate existence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and would therefore accelerate its engagement with stakeholders on a Special Security Summit to be organized by the House of Representatives.
The House should urgently invite the NSA, Service Chiefs, and Paramilitary Chiefs, Controller General of the Nigerian Customs Service and the MD of Nigerian COMSAT to brief the House on the Security situation in the Country.”
The House condemned the recent attacks on security formations and personnel as well as innocent Nigerians. They also sympathized with the victims of recent attacks and demanded for a provision of emergency relief to all Communities that have been adversely affected by recent attacks across the country.
The lawmakers also demanded for an increase of manpower in the security sector to deal with the challenge.
The resolutions include:
- Condemns attacks on security agents and formations and sympathizes with their families
- The House sympathizes with all the families and Communities that have been victims of banditry, terrorism and criminal elements in the country particularly in Ukpo, Ifitedunu, Dunukofia, Abagana (all in Anambra State), Geidam LGA, IDP Camp in Makurdi Urikpam, Jato-Aka, Police Divisions in the South East, Ehime Mbano in Imo State, Uzo-Uwani in Enugu State, Uzuakoli in Abia State, Balenga Local Government Area of Gombe State and parts of Imo and nationwide.
- The House reiterates its commitment to the security and corporate existence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and would therefore accelerate its engagement with stakeholders on a Special Security Summit to be organised by the House of Representatives.
- The House should urgently invite the NSA, Service Chiefs, and Paramilitary Chiefs, Controller General of the Nigerian Customs Service and the MD of Nigerian COMSAT to brief the House on the security situation in the country.
- Considering the security situation, the President should immediately declare a State of Emergency on Security so as to fast track all measures to ensure the restoration of peace in the country.
- Call on the judiciary to accelerate the prosecution of those awaiting trial due to banditry, terrorism and other criminal activities.
- Provide emergency relief to all Communities that have been adversely affected by recent attacks across the country.
- The President should as a matter of urgency, ensure financial autonomy to Local Government Councils to guarantee their functionality to serve the local populace.
- The Federal Government should ensure the protection of National Infrastructure assets, particularly the Shiroro and Kainji Dams in Niger State.
- The House mandates all its Security Committees to immediately commence comprehensive audit of all military and paramilitary assets and arms in our Armed Services and revert back to the House within four weeks.
- The number of personnel in the Police and Military falls far short of the required number to effectively secure the country and calls for immediate recruitment to this effect.
Nneka Ukachukwu
