SAHARANEWS – The dual chambers of the Nigeria National Assembly on Tuesday disagreed federal government stance over insecurity in the country.
The NASS, on their resumption from a five-week recess, reassessed the state of the nation and affirmed that insecurity in Nigeria had gotten to an alarming level.
Stressing precisely on the issues, House of Representatives regretted the killings, kidnapping, banditry and insurgency across the country, noting that the lawmakers will urgently do something to apprehend the situation.
Though, members of the Peoples Democratic in House, after taking look on the insecurity in the country, mainly the recent killings in Plateau State accused the Federal Government of being complacent.
Members of the red chamber demonstrated fear that insecurity in the country had deteriorated, declared to follow the proposed community policing policy with vigour.
You will recall that in the last three months, there has been a rise in killings and kidnapping in some states notably in Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina and Niger states. Apart from that, in the North-East, there is recorded renewed attacks by the rampaging Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province on both residents and troops.
Notwithstanding, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President Mohammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, has come under heavy criticism from Nigerians after taking stance on the killings and kidnapping across some states.
The media aide, on Sunday, narrated that the current insecurity situation in the country was not same as been portrayed on the media, noting that Nigerians ought to express joy and be appreciative for the job being done by the Buhari’s led government.
In opposition to Adesina’s position, Mr Benjamin Kalu, the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, while entertaining questions from journalists in Abuja, said revealed that the insecurity in the country was alarming. scannews 24 gathered.
He, however, stated that the lawmakers must do something to address the worsening insecurity.
He said, “The insecurity in the land is too much. It is alarming. We can no longer paint it with beautiful colours. We can no longer discuss it in low tunes. The cries of the people that have lost their lives are giving us sleepless nights and something needs to be done about it. And this 9th Assembly is going to look at various legislative interventions with regard to insecurity in the land, to ensure that Nigerians are safe – better than they have always been – because that is the core mandate of every government – to protect lives and property.
The Chairman also recognized the continued insurgent attacks especially in the North-East and the role of the police in making sure the country’s internal security assured.
The lawmaker said, “There were aspersions on the police, on whether they can do it or not. The recent reports that we are getting show that the police are capable of handling our internal security. There are some success stories coming from what they are doing at the moment. We are going to use legislative intervention to support them the more, and all the other role-players within the armed forces to make sure that the people are motivated the more to protect Nigerians.”