Senate President Ahmad Lawan says the essence of Nigeria’s
existence is under “serious threat” as a result of insecurity.
Lawan stated this on Wednesday at the special summit on national security organised
by the house of representatives.
The summit, which was scheduled to commence on Monday, was
postponed till Wednesday over the death of Ibrahim Attahiru, chief of army
staff, and 10 other military officers.
Speaking at the event, Lawan said the country has come under
serious security threats, adding that even law enforcement agencies are not
left out.
“Let me start by
commending the leadership of the house for organising this very special summit
on national security. I want to say here that Nigeria is at a crossroads today.
The very essence of the existence of this country is under serious threat,” he
said.
“What started as insurgency in 2009 or so in the
north-western part of Yobe has now snowballed into full scale insurgency in the
entire north-east.
“What was not known to us in the north-west is now today the
home of banditry and kidnapping. The north-central as we all know is not safe.
It suffers the clashes between the herders and our farmers.
“And the recent
introduction in the south-east is another serious threat to the existence of
this country. Where government institutions are targeted, our police and
security agencies personnel are being killed on a daily basis.
“Our institutions, buildings are burnt. I believe that these
are threats not only to these areas but the entire nation. And our armed forces
are doing their best.
“A criminal has only one name and that is criminal. No
criminal should have comfort in his ethnic enclave. Whoever, where that person
is, once he is a criminal, he is simply a criminal and must be dealt with in
the appropriate manner regardless of where he or she is coming from.
“It is also important that we provide resources — more
resources — for our security agencies to enable them better tackle the criminal
activities across the country. And our armed forces can do that.
“But the fact remains
that we have not enabled them enough. Today in this country, there is no better
investment than investing in the security of our people.”
Lawan added that the summit will generate ideas toward
tackling insecurity in the country.
“The essence of this summit, I am sure, is to look for ways
and means of improving the performance of our armed forces and other security
agencies,” he said.
“This summit is essential because we are tested as a
country. We are tested as a people. Criminals everywhere have found probably
comfort in doing what they do. This is the time for the legislature and
executive arm of government to come even closer in finding solutions.
“I want to take this opportunity to appeal and ask the
executive arm of government to implement whatever would be the outcome of this
summit.”
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