By joshua KARIMI WARNS INSECURITY THREATENS EDUCATION, AGRICULTURE, URGES SENATE TO BACK STATE POLICE, CASHLESS POLICY
Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, has warned that persistent attacks by bandits and terrorists are threatening not just education, but also agriculture and the overall peace and progress of Nigeria.
Rising under Order 42 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 as amended, Karimi told the Senate on Thursday that citizens may soon lose confidence in government’s ability to secure lives and property if concerted efforts are not made to step up the fight against insecurity.
“These ugly incidents keep re-occurring, forcing Nigerians to live in palpable fear and painting a picture of national hopelessness,” he said while detailing attacks in Kogi West that led to killings and mass abductions in schools and communities within the last week.
Karimi moved that the Senate resolve to:
Urge President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector General of Police, and the National Assembly to immediately consider a workable legal framework for sub-national/state police in Nigeria to complement federal security architecture.
Direct the Federal Executive and Central Bank of Nigeria to issue financial circulars and regulations that enforce a cashless policy. He argued that discouraging cash transactions will stifle ransom payments to kidnappers.
Mandate the Federal Ministry of Interior and Nigerian Immigration Service* to step up border security efforts to reduce the movement of terrorists and illegal arms into the country.
He further Call on sub-national governments to stop negotiations and peace accords with terrorists and armed bandits, which he said are often reneged upon and used to fund further terrorism.
He urge for the invitation of the Commander of the National Centre for Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, NCCSALW, to brief the Senate on incidents and challenges of arms proliferation in Nigeria.
Karimi noted that security is the primary purpose of government at all levels and urged state governments to take more proactive steps while giving effect to local government financial autonomy.
The Senate President granted him leave to raise the matter. The Senate is expected to consider the resolutions in subsequent plenary sessions.