Members of the Nigerian Senate have voiced their displeasure at the handling of insecurity in the nation by the Buhari-led administration. 

The Senate’s complaints follow reports of the abduction of students from Government Science Secondary School, Kagara (Niger State).

At the Senate plenary on Wednesday, Senators Mohammed Enagi, Sani Musa, and Aliu Sabi Aliu representing Niger South, Niger East and Niger North respectively through the APC, described the worsening state of insecurity in Niger State and Nigeria as unacceptable. 

“I’m sorry to say this, the government is grossly incompetent in the handling of security challenges in this country,” Mr. Enagi said.

“In my own zone, a few days ago, terrorists went to two local governments, but fortunately, my people were able to repel and kill 9 of them and in short everybody that is here has a story to tell about security challenges in this country.”

The legislators expressed their concerns over the state being unsafe for education, agriculture, and other socio-economic engagements.

Mr. Aliu reminded the house that the 57 travellers abducted in Niger State had yet to be released, urging the federal government to halt the spate of insecurity as it could spread to the Federal Capital Territory and other parts of the country.  

Mr. Enagi complained that no resolution reached by the Senate had been adopted and executed by the President, describing the federal government under the leadership of Mr. Buhari as grossly incompetent.

He stated further that the Aso Rock was evasive over issues that needed attention, such as unemployment and worsening welfare of all Nigerians. 

The senator suggested that laws be amended to allow governors to take charge of the security agencies in their state, as central control has failed to be efficient, also adding the need for citizens to bear arms in light of the growing crisis. 

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, posited the security agencies in the North faced challenges in terms of funding and  personnel.

The Senate urged the President to as a matter of urgency declare the state of emergency on insecurity in Nigeria, as well as implementing the recommendations of the Senate ad-Hoc committee on Nigeria’s Security Challenges dated March 17, 2020. 

On Wednesday, dozens of students were abducted after armed men raided school in Niger state, leaving one student dead.

The gunmen, wearing military fatigues according to witnesses, stormed the Government Science Secondary School Kagara at around 2am on Wednesday morning.