Killings: Senate Asks NSA to Submit Request for Funding
The Senate yesterday asked the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj-General Babagana Monguno (rtd), to submit a request for funding.
The special funding would enable the security agencies tackle the spate of killings, kidnapping as well as terrorism across the country.
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, disclosed this after the Senate resumed from a two-and-half hour executive session with the NSA.
Earlier, the Senate went into a closed-door session with the NSA and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Ita Enang, for a briefing on the proliferation of dangerous arms, spate of killings and kidnappings across the country.
The Senate had on May 8 summoned all service chiefs; the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) Lawan Daura; the Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Hameed Ali; and Monguno over the illegal possession of firearms by non-state actors.
The invitation was sequel to deliberations on a motion titled “proliferation of dangerous firearms in Nigeria” sponsored by Suleiman Hunkuyi (APC, Kaduna North).
Humkuyi had called for the invitation of the service chiefs while lamenting the incessant killings in several parts of the country with reference to the most recent killings in Kaduna State on Saturday.
Overtime, Birnin-Gwari in Kaduna State and some villages in Maru Local Government of Zamfara State have been terrorised by armed bandits.
Armed bandits have not only killed and kidnapped residents of the villages but destroyed properties too.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Olonisakin, the Director General of Department State Service (DSS), Lawan Daura and representatives of the Comptroller General of Immigration, Inspector General of police and the Comptroller General of Customs appeared before the Senate over the same matter.
Monguno, who was meant to be part of the delegation, did not appear on that day, but sent his apologies.
He appeared before the lawmakers yesterday.
The closed-door session, according to Premium Times, began at about 12.41p.m. and ended at 2.15p.m.
Upon resumption of plenary, Saraki read out the Senate’s resolutions.
“The Senate in a closed committee of the whole, received briefing from the National Security Adviser on the proliferation of dangerous arms, spate of killings and kidnappings by hoodlums across the country.
“He answered questions from distinguished senators bothering on security, insurgences, terrorism, kidnappings, coordination of the security agencies and in general, killings in the country.
“And thereafter, we directed that he submits a funding request similar to that of the security chiefs that have appeared before and also submit consideration for where relevant amendments to existing laws involving security agencies needs consideration,” he said.