Reps ask Buhari to declare state of emergency over insecurity

The house of representatives has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency over Nigeria’s growing security challenges.

The green chamber also resolved to summon Mohammed Monguno, national security adviser (NSA) and service chiefs to appear before them to speak on the country’s security situation.

The lawmakers passed the resolutions on Tuesday after an executive session that lasted for about four hours.

TheCable had reported how Nigeria recorded more than 10 security incidents on Monday as killings and attacks continued across the country.

In the north, Boko Haram insurgents and bandits continue to attack residents while security agencies and government facilities are increasingly becoming targets of attacks by gunmen in the south.

Last week, over 80 persons were killed and at least 60 others kidnapped across the country.

Schoolchildren and students are also not left out in the challenge — six schools have so far been attacked in 2021, three of which were in Kaduna state.

Amid the worsening security situation, Buhari asked the United States to consider relocating the headquarters of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) from Germany.

Speaking during a virtual meeting with Anthony Blinken, US secretary of state, the president had said: “Nigeria and her security forces remain resolutely committed to containing them and addressing their root causes. The support of important and strategic partners like United States cannot be overstated as the consequences of insecurity will affect all nations hence the imperative for concerted cooperation and collaboration of all nations to overcome these challenges.

“In this connection, and considering the growing security challenges in West and Central Africa, Gulf of Guinea, Lake Chad region and the Sahel, weighing heavily on Africa, it underscores the need for the United States to consider re-locating AFRICOM Headquarters from Stuttgart, Germany to Africa and near the Theatre of Operation.”