The Senate on Wednesday raised serious concerns over the worsening security situation in Katsina State, particularly the Funtua Zone, following fresh bandit attacks that reportedly left no fewer than 35 people dead within 24 hours across three local government areas.
The lawmakers urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently fulfil his pledge to establish a military barracks in the area, while strongly cautioning against negotiating with armed groups terrorising rural communities.
The call followed the consideration of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Senator Dandutse Mohammed (Katsina South), who appealed for immediate and comprehensive federal intervention to halt the escalating violence.
Ruling on the motion, Senate President Godswill Akpabio admitted it for debate after it received overwhelming support from lawmakers.
Presenting the motion, Senator Dandutse said Katsina had been plunged into mourning by renewed, coordinated attacks, including an ambush on Mobile Police Force personnel in Guga, Bako Local Government Area of Katsina metropolis, where three policemen were killed and two others critically injured.
He disclosed that as of Tuesday, at least 35 people had been killed in attacks across the Funtua Zone in less than 24 hours, with 24 deaths recorded in Faskari Local Government Area, eight in Bakori, two in Funtua Local Government Area and one in Kankara Local Government Area.
The senator warned that persistent insecurity had forced more than 50,000 farmlands to remain uncultivated, posing a serious threat to food security, agricultural productivity and livelihoods in the largely agrarian region.
“The continuous bandit attacks on communities will significantly affect food production and agricultural activities, as more than 50,000 farmlands are presently inaccessible, thereby jeopardising food security and the livelihoods of the people,” he said.
Dandutse recalled that the Katsina State Governor had earlier led a delegation of elders from the Funtua Zone to meet President Tinubu, during which the president pledged to site a military barracks in the area.
“I urge Mr President and the security agencies to ensure rapid and sustained intervention until all criminal elements are eliminated, and to fulfil the pledge to establish a military barracks in the Funtua Zone,” he added.
Seconding the motion, Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, said the Federal Government had already directed the military to intensify operations in Katsina, particularly around the Funtua axis. While commending ongoing efforts by the armed forces and the state government, he stressed the need for increased troop deployment, advanced technology and more decisive action.
“The military is doing well, but the determination of these bandits shows that we need to do more, add more force, deploy more technology and deal with this situation decisively,” Barau said, noting the broader implications for food security and national stability.
Contributing, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (Borno North) described the motion as timely, warning that the deteriorating security situation in Katsina was already undermining national food supply chains. He urged full implementation of plans to establish a permanent military formation in the area.
Also speaking, Senator Ahmed Wadada (Nasarawa West) warned against negotiating with bandits, describing such engagements as dangerous and counterproductive. He emphasised the importance of intelligence-led operations and urged communities to support security agencies with credible information.
“Negotiating with bandits empowers them while pretending to fight them. These criminals are driven by extremism, and negotiation does not yield lasting peace,” he said.
Following the debate, the Senate resolved to urge President Tinubu to fulfil his pledge to establish a military barracks in the Funtua Zone; direct the Inspector-General of Police to equip the newly established police squadron in the area with at least three Armoured Personnel Carriers; and mandate the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the National Emergency Management Agency to provide immediate relief to affected families and communities.
The Senate also observed a one-minute silence in honour of those killed in the attacks.
Elijah Adeyemi
No comments:
Post a Comment