By Michael Agbaji
The Nigerian Senate has urged president Bola Tinubu review and evaluation the security strategies in the northwest and north central states in the county.
In the motion on Thursday, titled: urgent need to review security approach in addressing banditry attacks in Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna and Kebbi states in the northwest of Nigeria, sponsored by Senator Nasiru Sani Zango Daura (APC, Katsina North) and twenty other senators.
Similarly, the Senate also urged relevant security agencies to collaborate with the respective state governments, local communities, traditional leaders and stakeholders to gather intelligence and enhance security operations in the northwest and north Central.
The upper legislative chamber mulled the deployment of additional security personnel and special task force to hotspots to ensure the protection of lives and properties.
Worried by the activities of bandits which has remained unabated, the lawmakers further urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the establishment of a task force to evaluate the effectiveness and implications of negotiating with bandits, and conduct analysis of short-term gains versus the long term consequences of such action.
Additionally, the Senate called on the military to secure farmlands to ensure food security and tackle rising food inflation.
Senator Zango Daura bemoaned that the incessant banditry attacks on communities in the region will significantly impact food production and agricultural activities especially in the 2024 rainy season.
Meanwhile, the motion was supported by many lawmakers at the Thursday plenary, including Senate minority leader, senator Abba Moro, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Senator Abdul Ningi, Senator Dandutse Muntari among others.
