Senators on Tuesday bemoaned the unending killing sprees being carried out in some communities in Niger and Katsina States by Armed Bandits.
This is as the Senate urged security agencies to rise up to the disturbing challenge by setting up permanent military bases in the affected areas.
Specifically on the Niger killings, the Senate urged the federal government to establish a permanent military base at the boundary between Alawa and Uregi areas of Shiroro and Rafi local government areas which is the epicentre of the banditry.
It also called on the federal government to direct Police and Nigeria Army to beef up personnel and equipment deployment to flash points of armed banditry in Katsina state.
These resolutions were sequel to separate motions moved to that effects by Senators Sani Musa (APC Niger East) and Mandiya Bello (APC Katsina South).
Senator Musa in his lead debate on the motion titled: “Urgent Need for the federal government to take drastic actions to bring an end to the act of banditry and kidnapping in Niger East Senatorial District”, said the act has become a daily incidence in Niger, Katsina , Kebbi, Kaduna and Zamfara states.
According to him, dastardly acts of the bandits were inflicted on residents of affected communities in Niger State on the 22nd of April, 25th of April, and 6th to 10th May 2020 with loss of precious lives and properties.
“On the 22nd of April this year, bandits struck communities of Madaka, Bakacin, Hatsi, Tunga Bako, Uregi, Ushsma, Sambuga, Ufaka and Pangu Gari Maguga in Rafi local government Area of Niger where some members of the communities including nine vigilantees were killed, kidnapped and valuables carted away,” he said.
Senator Mandiya in his own motion on similar banditry in Katsina state said concerned communities are becoming desperate and may resort to self-help which would eventually lead to state of anarchy.
Worried by the development, Senators one after the other in their contributions, called on the various security agencies, particularly the Police and the Military to wake up and rise up to the disturbing challenge.
In his own contribution, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (APC Niger North), said the issue of insecurity in the country had been over debated at both Chambers of the National Assembly with attendant resolutions passed.
“What is required now from the security agencies , is action and nothing more .
“There is need for them to wake up by confronting the mindless criminals frontally,” he said.
Senator Ibrahim Gobir (APC Sokoto East) in his own contribution said the matter seems to be getting out of hand for the security forces as banditry is now a daily occurrence in Sokoto state.
According to him, in some areas of the state under firm control of the bandits , issues on marriage and land disputes, are now being adjudicated upon by leaders of bandits in the affected areas.
“Government needs to wake up before the affected communities resort to sel-help , which will be inform of full scale war against the criminals and invariably anarchy,” he warned.
Other Senators like Jibrin Barau ( APC Kano North), Mohammed Enagi (APC Niger South) etc, also decried the worrisome development and called on Security agencies to wake up.
However, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, in his remarks, said the security agencies are overwhelmed due to inadequate number of personnel and equipment.
“The Security agencies have not at any time shirked away from their responsibilities of ensuring security for all and sundry in the country.
“But with inadequate personnel and equipment, they are no doubt, overwhelmed by the spate of crimes and criminalities across the country.
“They are however expected to redouble their efforts in getting armed bandits , kidnappers and other criminals out of their various hide outs,” he said .
