By Nafisat Makinde
The Nigerian Senate has launched a regional initiative to tackle insecurity across the country.
According to Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Leader of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on National Security Summit, the initiative aims to identify the root causes of security challenges and develop targeted solutions to restore peace and stability.
The Senate has constituted a 20-man committee to drive this initiative, comprising notable senators, including Senator Tahir Monguno, Senator Abba Moro, Senator Osita Ngwu, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Senator Ahmad Malam-Madori, Senator Gbenga Daniel, Senator Ahmed Lawan, and Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua.
The committee will hold meetings with critical stakeholders in each geo-political zone, engaging with traditional institutions, government agencies, military and intelligence agencies, local governments, media, and public-spirited individuals.
The Senate plans to engage victims of armed violence in different parts of the federation to seek diverse perspectives on security challenges.
The national security summit will involve every segment of Nigerian security, bringing together traditional institutions, government agencies, military and intelligence/security agencies, local governments, media, and other public-spirited individuals and groups.
Senator Bamidele emphasized that peace and unity are essential for Nigeria’s development and prosperity, stating, “No amount of money invested in infrastructure development will translate to any meaningful outcome without peace and security.” The Senate aims to develop far-reaching measures to bring about peace and stability across Nigeria.
The committee’s chairman highlighted the security challenges facing the country, including banditry and kidnapping in the North-West, terrorism and extremist violence in the North-East, farmers-herders clashes in the North-Central, separatist agitations and gang violence in the South-East, oil theft and environmental conflict in the South-South, and ritual killings in the South-West.
With this initiative, the Senate is committed to finding solutions to these pressing security issues and ensuring the safety and well-being of all Nigerians.
