Nigeria’s Senate Approves 2-Day National Security Summit Amid Rising Insecurity
“Ibrahim’s Motion Gains Senate’s Backing: A New Approach to Tackling Insecurity
The Nigerian Senate has resolved to hold a 2-day national security summit to address the escalating insecurity in the country. This decision follows a motion sponsored by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, representing Ondo South.
Senator Ibrahim highlighted the global nature of insecurity, citing events in Russia and Ukraine, and tensions between the global North and South. These issues have worsened food insecurity, impacting the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals. He also noted the ongoing tariff war in America and the growing emphasis on balance of power in global affairs, contributing to a new world order that fuels economic conflict and undermines globalization.
Insecurity in Nigeria was described as “pervasive” by Ibrahim, affecting urban and rural areas with banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, and other violent crimes. He emphasized the need to strengthen military strategy with better intelligence support and called for an “empirical fact-finding national security summit” to develop far-reaching solutions.
During the Senate debates, the motion was seconded by Senator Mohammed Dandutse, who pointed out the lack of intelligence sharing among security agencies as a major setback. Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and Adamu Aliero expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of a security summit, while Senators Titus Zam and Abba Moro supported the motion.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, put the motion to a voice vote, and the majority voted in favor of the summit. The 2-day national security summit will be held in Abuja, involving delegates from all levels of government and traditional institutions. The Senate has urged the Federal Government to review and rejig the country’s security policies based on the summit’s outcomes.
As the nation grapples with the complex security challenges, this summit represents a crucial step towards finding lasting solutions. By bringing together stakeholders from various sectors, the Senate aims to develop a comprehensive approach to addressing insecurity and promoting peace and stability in Nigeria.