Reps reaffirm call for declaration of state of emergency on insecurity

By FEMI OGUNSHOLA

The House of Representatives has reaffirmed its call for the declaration of state of emergency on insecurity in the country, following the gruesome murder of 92 people in Plateau state on April 10.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Rep. Yusuf Gagdi (APC-Plateau) at the plenary on Wednesday, in Abuja.

He noted that over 20 victims that sustained various degrees of injury in the attack were currently receiving medication at various hospitals in the state.

He said that in spite of intelligence reports by the Department of State Service, on the influx of terrorists fleeing into Plateau, there was no proactive measure taken to avert the terror attack.

“The security agencies have reliable information at their disposal of the various camps of these terrorists at Kambari forest in Taraba state,” he said.

He added that they also had information on Bangala in Wase LGA of the state, from where the terrorists used to organise and coordinate attacks on innocent citizens and other parts of Nigeria.

Rep. Ahmed Wase, the Deputy Speaker of the House, in his contribution alleged that, “a security personnel who was supposed to be on duty in Zamfara, got a pass and stayed in Plateau for six months supplying uniforms to bandits.”

He said that members would now understand the complicity of the security agencies in the killings, stating that actions needed to be taken against some security agencies.

He called on security agencies to do their job, adding that the last time, it was in Birnin Gwari, in Kaduna state, where over 162 people were killed.

He said that an “early warning signal was given, as identified by the citizens, where bandits coming from Zamfara and Niger to Plateau were reported but nothing was done to forestall it.

He added that in this case, “I do not know what anybody can do not to hold the security agencies responsible.”

“I have written a letter, paid visit to inform the police. As I speak, 42 villages in my constituency are in IDP camps.”

Rep. Bamidele Salam (PDP-Osun), in his contribution, said, “I watched the massacre of the people of Plateau and it was very emotional.

“We have come to a situation where people are being killed and no one is held accountable. Things have turned upside down in the last one decade,” he said.

He said to live in Nigeria was now an unusual privilege, adding that the shocking part was that there were early warning signals that there would be an attack on these people, but was not acted upon.

“Is it that they feel that some people behind it cannot be touched or are too powerful; it appears that there is an absence of government,” he said

Rep Fatuhu Muhammed (APC-Katsina) said that President Muhammadu Buhari as the Chief Security officer should be held responsible for the insecurity in the country.

He, however, said that there was no way such killings would be happening without security information, but condemned the attempt of always sweeping it under the carpet.

“The security agencies come here, present their budget and we allow it pass, there is no oversight function to unravel the truth.

“I just came back from my state, no security is willing to come out and protect people, we have to give them money.

“Everybody is important in this battle, though the President should be held responsible,” he said.

Rep. Bello Kumo (APC-Gombe), in his contribution, called on the President to immediately remove the Minister of Defence and the National Security Adviser, saying that it was needless keeping them giving the glaring failure.

The House, therefore, called for the establishment of a military base and the deployment of troops to the affected areas.

The House also demanded the immediate sack of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Minister of Defence, including the indictment of the security agencies, accusing them of culpability in the Plateau killings. (NAN)