By The Senate on Wednesday discussed over the recurrent attacks by bandits and kidnappers in Kwara North Senatorial District, which they tagged could further had adverse effect on the existence of communities.
The Senate expressed their grievances over the continued captivity of women and children abducted during the Woro Massacre, the persistent attacks on communities and the burning of the Emir of Yashikira by suspected criminals.
A resolution which was tagged “Urgent Need for Federal Government Intervention to Address the Re-occuring insecurity in Kwara North Senatorial District” was sponsored by Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar which was presided by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Umar accentuated that “Security is the primary responsibility of government as guaranteed under Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
Umar emphasised that the security situation of the community keeps deteriorating despite the efforts of security agencies. The Kwara North had been plagued by “killings, kidnappings, destruction of property, and attacks on innocent citizens across several communities.”
He also noted that “Several months after the unfortunate Woro massacre, many women and children abducted during the attack remain in captivity, while their families continue to suffer untold hardship and psychological trauma,”
He lamented that armed criminals attacked and set ablaze the palace of the Emir of Yashikira on the eve of Sallah celebrations. Families were abducted which undermined the respect for traditional institutions and threatens communal peace.
He further expressed that “several villages within Edu Local Government Area have equally come under attack, and in a disturbing development, criminal elements recently invaded Lafiagi Township, Killing and abducting residents in a clear demonstration of the growing boldness and operational capacity of these criminal groups.”
He accentuated on locations that are already a den for those perpetrating evil in the country which was the Kainji Lake National Park and some forest reserves.
“Failure to decisively address the activities of criminal elements operating within the Kainji Lake forest axis and other hideouts may further embolden them and deepen the security crisis in the region.” He warned.
The Senate called on the Federal Government to intensify the security situation of Kwara North through strategic establishment of military bases and joint operation to wipe out the criminals from the Kainji Lake forest axis and other identified hideout.
The Senate informed its committee on National Security and intelligence, Army, Air Force, police affairs to carry out their responsibilities and report back within four weeks on the plans in tackling insecurity in the country.
The Senate observed a minute silence of honor to victims killed in the attacks.
