The Senate has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency on insecurity following various crises in different parts of the country.
The most recent is the abduction of students,teachers of the Government Science School, Kangara, Niger State in the early hours of Wednesday.
The Senate made the call following a point of order by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) on Wednesday on the Kangara Students abduction.
Musa said the terrorist who abducted the victims were dressed in military uniforms.
The Senator who said the actual number of students abducted was not known noted that the school had over 1000 students.
Senator Bima Enagi from Niger State in his contribution, accused the President of incompetence as the security situation is worsening in the country.
He argued that the constitution should be amended to give governors more powers as they are the security officers in their states because the Federal government is incompetent in handling security.
Senator Sabi Abdullahi, also from Niger State, said kidnappers and bandits were emboldened by the successes being recorded in the state in recent time as about 100 people had so far been kidnapped in the state.
He said the forest from the FCT which extends to Niger up to Zamfara State was being used by the criminals adding that the fact that the bandits have invaded Niger State was an indication that the safety of lives and properties of FCT residents is being threatened.
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, described the kidnap of the students as unfortunate.
He, however, said the security agencies had challenges with personnel and funds.
He said, “Abduction of students from school happens in the northern part of Nigeria.
“With incidences like this, parents would be scared to take their wards to school, and the efforts of the past and by present leaders at providing education would be defeated.
“Service chiefs have to secure the schools and have to carry the states along.
The Senate however demanded the implementation of its ad hoc resolution on security and urged the combined team of military and police to set up an operation to destroy criminal camps across the country.
Meanwhile Niger State Governor has ordered the immediate closure of all boarding schools in four local government areas of the state while assuring that government will ensure the safe return of the students and teachers.
Also President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered immediate deployment of army and Police Personnels to the area to ensure the safe return of the students.
