….Boost security now, save lives — CAN

By Henry Umoru & Luminous Jannamike

The Senate yesterday asked the Federal Government to direct security agencies to deploy technology in the fight against insurgency in the country.

The call came on a day Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, also asked the government to boost security in the country, with a view to saving lives.

Both spoke against the backdrop of last Saturday’s suicide bombings which claimed the lives of over 30 persons in Gwoza local government area of Borno State.  Scores of others were equally injured.

The Upper chamber also urged the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to intensify efforts in providing relief materials to victims of the attacks.

Resolutions of the Senate were sequel to a motion sponsored by the Senate Whip, Senator Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South.

Meanwhile, an additional prayer by the chairman,  Senate Committee on Interior,  Senator Adams Oshiomhole,  APC, Edo North, on the need for the Senate to ensure that  more money was  not only provided to the armed forces, but also check that the money was used to procure what it was meant for.

The prayer, though supported by the Chairman,  Senate Committee on Ethics,  Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuen,  LP, Edo South, was thrown out as the Nays carried the day when the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, called for yes or nay vote twice.

However, in his presentation,Ndume said, among others:  “The Senate notes that on Saturday, June 29, 2024, brazen suicide bombers targeted a wedding ceremony, funeral and hospital in a sporadic and coordinated attacks in the Gwoza town of Borno State, which resulted in the unfortunate deaths of about 32 innocent Nigerians so far, leaving scores of other victims wounded with varied degrees of injuries.

“Aware that in today’s world of asymmetric warfare, where strategy and tactics differ significantly from the normal conventional war, the approach by our security agencies should be scientifically and technologically based, with the use of modern softwares and facilities to fight the menace.”

In his contribution, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, APC, Ondo South, urged the intelligence unit of the army to get devices in their phones to know where notorious criminals live.

He said:  “It is a sad day and it is a period of moments of reflection because we are talking about insecurity. If I had my way, I would have suggested that all proceedings be suspended today in honour of innocent Nigerians killed in Borno.

”As Iam here, I check my phone regularly and I know the number of guns that are very close to me here. This is just less than 1,000 installations. Within us now, there are over 277 guns around here.  So what am I saying? We can use technology,”

Also contributing to the debate, Senator Mohammed Monguno, APC-Borno North, who noted that the resurgence of suicide bombings was very unfortunate, said the panacea was deployment of technology in the fight against terrorism.

On his part, former President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, APC-Yobe North, called on government to reprioritise security by purchasing military equipment such as drones.

For Senator Abdulaziz Yaradua, APC-Katsina Central who aligned with calls for the use of technology and prioritising of security, said “we must ensure we provide all the security needed to fight the war.”

Yar’ Adua, who is Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, said the armed forces and the security agencies should “go to back to the security procedures that have assisted in nipping in the bud the suicide bombings that have been confined to the dustbin before”.

On his part, Senator Ned Nwoko, PDP-Delta North, said the issue of violence in Nigeria was not a new one, adding that “these disgruntled groups have reasons for doing what they are doing; we must address the fundamental issues of why people are killing others.

“We must begin to dialogue with the security agencies and other stakeholders to find permanent solutions to all these problems.”

In his remarks, President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who noted that insecurity in any part of the nation was insecurity everywhere, said:  “We should employ a lot of technology.

”What happened there could also be described as failure of intelligence because if we have so many suicide bombers gathering together, it means we have not penetrated their camps. Preventive security must also be emphasised.”

Boost security now, save lives, CAN urges FG

Meanwhile, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has urged the federal government to boost security in the country, following the recent attacks in Borno State.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement yesterday, called on the government to take immediate action to prevent further violence and save lives.

The group commended security agents for their efforts in containing the threat of terrorism, but emphasized the need for more to be done to ensure the safety of all citizens.

The CAN President said: “The recent suicide attacks in Gwoza, Borno State, which have claimed numerous lives and injured many others, have left us deeply worried.

”We are concerned about the resurgence of suicide bombing in our country and the threat it poses to the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians.

“This senseless act of violence is a stark reminder of the evil that terrorism represents, and the need for collective action to defeat it.

”We commend the security agents who have been working tirelessly to contain the threat of terrorism in our country.

”We encourage them not to relent in their efforts, as every necessary intervention is welcome to prevent a relapse into the dark days of suicide attacks.