The Senate has directed its joint committee on security to investigate the sudden withdrawal of military personnel from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State shortly before bandits invaded the school.
The committee is expected to submit its report within two weeks.
The upper chamber also mandated the same joint committee to probe the circumstances surrounding the killing of Brig.-Gen. Musa Uba.
In a related move, the Senate resolved to dissolve its standing committees on National Security and Intelligence, as well as the Air Force Committee, with a view to reconstituting them.
It further directed that the Senate leadership should meet with President Bola Tinubu to brief him on the resolutions reached.
These decisions followed a motion sponsored by the Deputy Senate Leader, Sen. Lola Ashiru, during Wednesday’s plenary titled: “Urgent Need to Address Escalating Insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger, Call for Immediate and Comprehensive Federal Intervention.”
The Senate also commended President Tinubu and security agencies for their rapid intervention in the rescue of some abducted victims.
“We urge them to sustain coordinated operations until all abducted persons nationwide are rescued and perpetrators apprehended,” the resolution stated.
The lawmakers advised the Federal Government to strengthen local vigilante groups to enable swift response to attacks, and to review Nigeria’s firearm laws to reflect current security realities, similar to practices in over 175 countries where responsible citizens are permitted to bear arms.
Additionally, the Senate agreed to pursue diplomatic engagement with the United States and other allied nations to enhance intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism training.
A one-minute silence was observed in honour of victims of recent attacks.
Lawmakers’ Contributions
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau claimed that insecurity worsened nationwide after former U.S. President Donald Trump made statements suggesting possible U.S. intervention due to alleged religious persecution in Nigeria.
“Since then, the spate of these terrorist activities has increased. They move in convoys to commit atrocities. So we should deploy technology,” Barau said.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele applauded the rescue of kidnapped victims in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger States, but acknowledged public concerns about the methods used.
“At what cost is what a lot of Nigerians are wondering. Some say the government negotiated, but security officials alone can confirm this,” he said.
Bamidele stressed that the government maintains its stance of not paying ransom, adding: “What no one can deny is the fact that these people regained their freedom without a life being lost.”
