‘Boko Haram in Niger’: Senate asks its leadership to meet Buhari

The upper legislative chamber has asked its leadership to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari over the rising insecurity in the country.

The senate took this position after it considered and adopted a motion sponsored by Mohammed Sani Musa, senator representing Niger east.

The senator drew the attention of lawmakers to the activities of suspected members of Boko Haram in Niger state.

On Monday, Abubakar Bello, Niger governor, said members of the sect have hoisted their flag in Kaure, Shiroro LGA of the state.

While moving the motion on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Tuesday, Musa lamented that the people in the affected LGA have been displaced.

Contributing to the debate, Olubunmi Adetunmbi, senator representing Ekiti north, said successive governments ignored warning signs on security.

“In the last 10 years there have been several reports that have given us indications that Nigeria may be entering into the situation that we are describing now,” Adetunmbi said.

Also contributing to debate, Ajibola Basiru, senate spokesman, said the country has to come up with a plan to address insecurity.

“As of today the police are incapable of securing the country. It is also important that we need to come up with a plan to address this issue of insecurity in Nigeria,” Basiru said.

“And in minimum, we need to recruit at least five thousand security personnel in each state. We should stop lamenting as a national assembly and take actions.”

The senate resolved to invite the service chiefs in a closed session.

The upper legislative chamber also asked the army to redesign its method of operations in tackling insecurity.

The motion was adopted after Senate President Ahmad Lawan put it to a voice vote.