Reps to convene national conference on security

The House of Representatives on Thursday resolved to convene a national conference on ways to address security challenges confronting the country.

The House also mandated its leadership to interface with President Muhammadu Buhari to find a lasting solution to series of killings in different communities in the country.

The House also urged the Directorate of State Security (DSS) to step up vigilance and ensure that internal security was guaranteed.

The resolutions were sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Rep. Simon Arabo (Kaduna-PDP) titled “Need to Investigate the Killing of 43 People and Burning of 65 Houses in eight villages in Southern Kaduna on Nov. 13.’’

The villages are Kigam,Kitakum, Ungwan, Magaji,Ungwan Rimi, Ungwan and Kizipi Chawai Chiefdom in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Leading the debate, Arabo urged the Federal and Kaduna State governments to declare a state of emergency in Southern Kaduna Senatorial District of Kaduna State.

He also asked the Federal Government to set up a military strike force in the district to serve as an interim measure.

Arabo expressed worry over attacks on the communities in the district, saying that they were on the increase in spite of efforts by the government to stem the trend.

He also urged the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to provide relief materials to victims of the attacks.
“We actually had a hint that the insurgents were going to attack and we invited the army to lay ambush for them.

“Unfortunately, the day they left the place was when they struck and apart from the lives lost, the attackers burnt houses.

Contributing, Rep. Adams Jagaba, (APC-Kaduna State) emphasised the need for improved commitment by the government to protect communities.

“If the people decide to do otherwise, the repercussion will be too great on the community and the nation if something is not urgently done to address the situation now.
Rep. Mohammed Zakari (APC-Kwara) said that the issue of state policing should be looked into and also the law governing carrying of arms.

Rep. Muhammed Sani Abdul, lamented that “today, people are afraid of moving freely.

“We should look at the work of Nigeria military, they are overstretched, they are not trained for internal security, but to protect our sovereignty.’’

The Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila (APC-Lagos State) in his submission said that the loss of one life is a loss too many.

“I don’t think I will be comfortable when loss of lives are mentioned because the loss of one life is too many, as constitutionally everybody in Nigeria is entitled to life. And this may point to when a state of emergency will be needed in Southern Kaduna,’’ Gbajabiamila said.