The House of Representatives
Members of the House of Representatives, at a special plenary on Wednesday, proposed major reforms across military operations, judicial processes, recruitment systems and community engagements to curb the growing security challenges in the country.
Leading the debate, a former Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase (APC–Plateau), noted that 52 per cent of insecurity in the sub-region occurred in Nigeria.
Stressing the need for review of the country’s security architecture, Mr Wase said that insecurity in the country must be seen as an act of criminality and not genocide against Christians or minority groups.
He also called for a review of the recruitment process of security agencies, claiming that armed robbers and terrorists had found their way into the system.
The lawmaker urged politicians, who usually recommended people for employment, to ensure minimum standards of those being recommended.
According to him, efforts must be made to fish out those responsible for sabotaging operations within the military and other security agencies.
Mr Wase said that there was the need for more synergy among security agencies, pointing out that before any major attack, there were intelligence reports.
He, however, said that such intelligence reports were often ignored and military officers withdrawn before such attack occurred.
Mr Wase recommended judicial reforms to ensure speedy dispensation of justice, saying that keeping alleged criminals on trial for too long was not good for the system.
Also, Sada Soli (APC-Katsina) said that communities must be fully involved in the planning and execution of operations.
Mr Soli said that community people must champion the fight against insecurity, as such evil events often occurred in the communities.
Also, Aliyu Betara (APC-Borno), called for reform of budgetary allocations for security operations in the country.
According to him, military hard wares are not easily procured, as it takes about two months to get an armoured tank.
He said that there was the need to invest in the capital expenditure component for swift operations of the military.
On his part, Ibrahim Isiaka (APC-Ondo), acknowledged that government and security agencies were doing a lot to address the security challenges confronting the country.
He recommended improved relations with neighbouring countries to support the fight against insecurity across the borders.
Similarly, Enwo Igariwey (PDP-Ebonyi), said that insecurity in the country had been properly documented and solutions proffered.
He, however, noted that implementation had been a major the challenge, stating, therefore, that government must rise to the occasion by implementing recommendations to end insecurity in the country.
In his contribution, Solomon Bob (PDP-Rivers), decried situations whereby terrorists were being negotiated with, appeased and pampered instead of security agencies going after them.
Mr Bob noted that while victims were being rescued, their abductors were walking away free, as no one had been punished under the Terrorism Act.
He called for an immediate stop to negotiations with terrorists and arrest of those defending terrorists publicly.
(NAN)