Following the high rate of insecurity in the country and the recent abduction of students of the Government Science Secondary School in Kagara Local Government Area of Niger State, the Senate has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency on insecurity.
This is subsequent to the point of order raised by Senator Sani Musa, representing Niger-East, on the abduction of Kagara Students and Staff, who were kidnapped in the early hours of Wednesday, February 17, 2021, and taken to an unknown destination.
Senator Musa further said that the Kidnappers, dressed in Military uniform, had invaded the school of over 1000 students, abducting an unknown number of students.
Senator Sabi Abdullahi, also from Niger state, mentioned that the bandits keep abducting because of the successful record of kidnappings in the past as about 100 people have been abducted from the state.
Meanwhile, an APC Senator representing Niger-South, Bima Enagi, has accused Buhari’s administration of being incompetent to handle the security situation in the country.
“I’m sorry to say this, the government is grossly incompetent in the handling of security challenges in this country. In my own zone, a few days ago, terrorists went to two local governments, but fortunately, my people were able to repel and killed 9 of them and in short, everybody that is here has a story to tell about security challenges in this country. What else are we supposed to do that we are not doing? Are we supposed to amend laws in this country to give every citizen the opportunity to carry arms? What else are we supposed to do? Imagine if it is one of us that his or her daughter and son were kidnapped. I expect everyone in government to think like that. For over two years, our police and other security agents have been trying and for over two years, we have been discussing security challenges that we are facing, yet nothing has improved. We have a lot of youths who are graduates that are not employed or under-employed. What are we doing? The government is busy distributing palliatives instead of creating economic activities that will engage the unemployed; that will generate employment; that will improve the welfare of our people. Mr. President, my highly respected distinguished colleagues, the situation in this country is disheartening and something needs to be done.”
The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan said,
“Abduction of students from school happens in the northern part of Nigeria. With incidences like this, parents would be scared to take their wards to school, and the efforts of the past and by present leaders at providing education would be defeated. Service chiefs have to secure the schools and have to carry the states along.”
