The House of Representatives has called on the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to declare a state of emergency on security, with the growing spate of attacks and kidnappings across the country.
The House held a record three-hour executive (closed-door) session that lasted three hours on Tuesday, from where the lawmakers unanimously adopted a series of resolutions.
Emerging from the meeting, the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, read out the part of the resolution of which the House condemned the attacks on security personnel and formations around the country and sympathized with families of victims.
The House reiterated its commitment to ensuring that country is secured, while announcing its resolve to organize a special security summit and invite the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.); the service chiefs, heads of paramilitary agencies, and NIGCOMSAT.
The House also resolved that “The President should immediately declare emergency on the security sector,” while calling on the judiciary to accelerate the trial of suspected terrorists, bandits, and others criminals.
“The President should as a matter of urgency ensure financial autonomy for local governments,” the lawmakers said while calling on the Federal Government to ensure the protection of national infrastructure across the country.
While asking all security committees to immediately audit arms and ammunition of security agencies within four weeks, the House stated that “the number of personnel in police and military fall far short to effectively secure the country,” calling for immediate recruitment of operatives.
Details later…
