The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has urged President Bola Tinubu to take “tough decisions” to end insecurity in the country.
According to TheCable, Abbas spoke on the floor of the green chamber on Tuesday when the house resumed plenary after the December break.
The speaker said he is “deeply troubled by the widespread insecurity that grips” Nigeria and the “formidable” challenges that test the unity of the nation.
“The threats of insurgency are severely testing the peace and stability of our country, the rise in kidnapping for ransom and the unsettling unrest and crises across all the six geo-political zones,” he said.
The Speaker said,“We are particularly saddened by the tragic and senseless murder of our daughters, Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar and Folorunsho Ariyo, the heinous murder of over 30 people in Plateau state, as well as many others who have fallen victim to the mindless acts of terror in the last few weeks.
“We also remember those who lost their lives in the blast in Ibadan triggered by explosives stored by illegal miners.
“For too long, our nation has been caught in the vicious grip of insecurity, a malaise that spreads its tentacles far and wide, sparing no one in its wake.”
Abbas lamented that the “numerous security” challenges thrive despite measures by the government to tame the menace.
Speaking further, Abbas said, the growing insecurity across the country mocks the government’s efforts, challenging its resolve to build a “cohesive, peaceful and prosperous nation.
“It is a stark reminder that the conventional approaches to security we have espoused for so long are no longer sufficient”.
He said it is time to “think out of the box and adopt new and contemporary strategies” that better respond to the complexities of our current challenges.
“The enemy evolves, and so must we. I challenge you (security operatives) to rise to this occasion, to demonstrate the indomitable spirit for which you are known, and to do more in safeguarding the lives and properties of our people.
“Indeed, the time has come for the president to demand greater performance and accountability from our service chiefs and all security and enforcement agencies.
“I implore the president not to shy away from making the tough decisions. If necessary, we must not hesitate to enact changes within our security apparatus, for the cost of inaction is far too great to bear.”
Abbas said the green chamber will organise a security summit to generate ideas from experts on ways to tackle the nation’s insecurity.
Credit: TheCable
