Insecurity: Abuja under threat –Akpabio

Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, has lamented the nation’s escalating level of insecurity, pointing out that it has placed the country’s capital territory at risk.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, were not present when he made the statement yesterday during the planned security briefing of the Senate by security chiefs, according to Daily Sun.

The National Security Agency (NSA) and security chiefs were called before the Senate last week to inform lawmakers about strategies to contain the nation’s escalating levels of insecurity, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Defence Chief Musa and Ribadu declined the invitation, but the Chiefs of Staff of the Army, Air Force, Navy, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) accepted.

Akpabio, presided during plenary, bemoaned the level of insecurity in the country and vowed that a solution must be found by the security chiefs when they appear next Tuesday.

Ribadu had, in a letter, told the Senate he had other engagements and could, therefore, not be present for the briefing.

Akpabio in his remarks, said the upper legislative chamber would step down the briefing and expand the scope to accommodate more key government officials to join the long list of those expected.

The security briefing was, therefore, moved to next Tuesday at about 11 am.

Those now expected during the briefing are the NSA; Chiefs of Defence Staff, Army, Navy and Air Force; Minister of Defence and Minister of State Defence; Minister of Interior; Director-General of the DSS; Minister of Police Affairs and Minister of State; Minister of Finance; and Director-General of National Intelligence Agency.

Listing the volatile areas in the FCT, Akpabio declared that the nation’s capital was under serious threats from kidnappers and other criminal elements.

Akpabio said: “Our job is to complement the Executive and support it to succeed. If the Tinubu administration fails, it means we have all failed.

“The Senate is of the view that FCT is under threat in addition to other parts of the country. In view of the fact that the people we have mentioned aren’t here and we need holistic review, it is the view of the Senate that this security briefing is now adjourned to 13 February.”

In a motion sponsored by the entire 107 senators last week, the upper legislative chamber, said the rising spate of killings, kidnappings, banditry, and other criminal activities in the nation was becoming unbearable.

The lead sponsor of the motion and Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, recalled the killings in Benue, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Plateau, Oyo and other states.

He said the payment of huge ransom by families of kidnapped victims, was no longer acceptable to Nigerian

He said: “The recent killings in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, which led to loss of lives, including security personnel, and wanton destruction of property, as well as the brutal killings of 11 residents of Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

“The Senate equally notes the various kidnappings in the Federal Capital Territory, where victims have been killed after collecting ransom.

“Senate is also aware of several cases of kidnappings all over the country where huge ransom had been paid and several of the victims still got killed.

“The Senate is also aware that the recent killings of two traditional rulers in Ekiti State, and the abduction of primary school pupils in Ekiti, had further aggravated the level of insecurity in the country.

“The Senate notes the unfortunate bomb explosion at Bodija in Ibadan, Oyo State, where no less than five lives were lost and several residential houses, schools, hotels, and religious centres were destroyed.

“The Senate equally notes the killing of several residents of Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin Ladi communities in Plateau State.