In response to the escalating insecurity in Nigeria, the Senate has taken a decisive step by resolving to summon the nation’s top military and security chiefs.
This crucial decision was reached on Thursday during a heated deliberation stemming from the shocking kidnap of five female students from the Federal University Dutsin-Ma, situated in Katsina state, on Wednesday.
The senators, deeply concerned by the deteriorating security situation, have called upon the following high-ranking officials to appear before them: General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff; Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff; Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff; Air Marshall Hassan Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff; Olukayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police; and Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser.
The impetus behind this summons is the recent kidnapping incident involving five female students from the Federal University Dutsin-Ma in Katsina State. The students were abducted from their residence located behind Mariamoh Ajiri Memorial International School along Tsaskiya Road in the early hours of Wednesday, around 2:30 a.m.
Confirming the abduction, the Police Spokesman, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, stated that one suspect had been apprehended in connection with the incident. However, investigations are still underway to rescue the abducted students from the clutches of the perpetrators. Sadiq emphasized, “Yes, it is true, the incident has taken place, but we have already arrested one suspect for now in connection with the incident, and we are investigating the incident to unravel the circumstances surrounding it, please.”
In addition to addressing the urgent need to rescue the kidnapped students, the Senate has called upon security agencies to adopt a more proactive approach in dealing with security challenges. The legislators have also urged the military to initiate special operations aimed at dismantling the bandits operating in the North-West and other regions of the country.
Furthermore, the Senate emphasized the necessity of addressing the manpower deficit within the armed forces and police. They underscored the importance of creating state police as a potential solution to the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria.
While the Senate’s decision to summon the service chiefs is seen as a significant step towards addressing the country’s security issues, a specific date for the planned meeting with the security officials has not yet been announced. The nation watches anxiously as efforts intensify to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped students and the restoration of peace and security in Nigeria.
