Senate Summons NSA, Service Chiefs, IGP, Others To Address Rising Insecurity

The Senate convened on Thursday to address the alarming security situation in the country, resolving to invite the National Security Adviser (NSA), Service Chiefs, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for a crucial meeting.

The decision stemmed from the adoption of a motion titled “Urgent Need for the Improvement of Coordination and Synergy between Nigerian Security Forces and Agencies to Strengthen the Fight against Insecurity.” Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, representing Katsina Central, sponsored the motion.

During his lead debate, Senator Yar’Adua emphasized the necessity for collaboration among various security agencies, highlighting the unprecedented challenges faced by any single agency in the current security landscape.

He pointed out that in addition to the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Force, there are various other security agencies, such as the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, and authorized Civilian Task Forces. Furthermore, he highlighted key security services overseeing both internal and external threats, including the Department of State Service, the Defence Intelligence Agency, and the National Intelligence Agency.

Senator Yar’Adua enumerated multiple security crises concurrently affecting Nigeria, ranging from Boko Haram in the North-East to the activities of bandits, kidnappers, and gunmen in various regions. He cited specific incidents, such as the bandit attack in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State on October 23, 2023, where five people were killed.

The Senator also addressed threats from the outlawed Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) in the South-East, mentioning the kidnapping of Major General RC Duru (retired) in Owerri, Imo State, on September 27, 2023. He further outlined actions taken by security forces, including operations that neutralized bandits/armed robbers and arrested suspects involved in various criminal activities.

In response to these challenges, Senator Yar’Adua stressed the importance of security agencies collaborating under a central command structure. The Senate, echoing this sentiment, urged security agencies to enhance their inter-operational synergy and coordination for a more effective and holistic approach to tackling insecurity.

Furthermore, the Senate called on the agencies to develop a National Security Policy document outlining the framework for improved synergy and coordination. Additionally, it urged joint training initiatives to enhance the capabilities of the security agencies in dealing with diverse security challenges facing the nation.