The House of Representatives at its plenary session of Thursday, 4 June 2020 resolved to review the constitutional role of the Armed Forces following a debate calling for an effective security intervention by the relevant security agencies in the country.
Leading the debate on a motion titled “Need For Relevant Security Agencies to bring to an end the Spate of Oblivious Killings, Kidnapping And Armed Banditry Attacks across Nigeria,” Hon. Sada Soli (APC: Katsina) noted with concern the upsurge of insecurity across the country which had impacted negatively on the socio-economic development of several States. Hon. Soli attributed the several reported cases of kidnapping, killing and armed banditry to major factors contributing to the failure of Nigeria’s security systems and urged the leadership of the House of Representatives to ensure that the Security Sector Committees continues its engagement with all security agencies and report back on a monthly basis.
Contributing to the debate, law makers expressed dismay over the lack of an effective security strategy and operational plan to adequately address the issues of insecurity despite the huge sums of money allocated to fight insurgency across the country. They also noted that the current security deficit had enabled States to embark on self-initiatives to protect it citizens before calling on the Speaker of the House of Representatives to consider holding a briefing session with the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the Director General of the Department for State Services (DSS), Security Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Other recommendations made as means to address the current security crisis in Nigeria include the following:
- Call for the resignation of all Service Chiefs;
- Intensification of oversight by security sector related committees of the House of Representatives;
- That the House of Representative holds a Parliamentary Dialogue on National Security;
- That the House of Representatives organise a National Peace Conference;
- That the Federal Government commences re-integration of displaced persons into communities rather than funding the living expenses of displaced persons in various camps;
- That the Federal Government addresses the issue of unemployment across the country; and
- That the Federal Government either reviews its security strategy or overhaul the security architecture of the country.
In addition, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC: Lagos) stated that the provisions of the Section 227 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which deals with the prohibition of the use of quasi-military organisations to coerce or threaten citizens, would also be reviewed as a way of making the fight against violent attacks more effective.
