Senate Call on FG to Investigate Stealing of Natural resources, to End Insecurity Across Nigeria

By Fatima Saka

Senate on Tuesday urged the federal government to investigate into the stealing of the country’s natural resources, that causing insecurities in Niger State

Adding that the government should give artisans a good environment to explore.

Following the motion sponsored by Senator Sani Musa, representing Niger East senatorial district. Motion titled, “Urgent Need For Federal Government To Deploy Troops And Other Security Apparatus To Immediately Bring An End To The Menace Of Insurgency And Terrorism In Niger State And Other Parts Of Nigeria”

Senator Sani Musa, the sponsor of the motion, stressed that the illegal mining is a problem in Niger State but the nation’s responsibility, adding that the government should take control of the mining sectors to reduce the menace of illegal mining.

“Government should create a database for the artisan to get registered, this will further protect the country’s resources. Illegal mining is not a problem in Niger State but the nation’s responsibility.”

The senators, in their various contributions, unanimously noted that the development could negatively affect the food sufficiency and economic diversification policy of the Federal government.

They urged the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police to immediately deploy troops to defend the unarmed populace and bring back security to the affected communities.

They noted that the only antidote to restoring confidence in the security and safety of the affected communities.

The federal lawmakers said the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police should as a matter of urgency ensure a full military presence in Shiroro and Rafi local government areas respectively.

They also charged the military and security agencies to redesign the modus operandi of their operations within the affected areas so as to curtail the escalating insecurity.

The Senate further directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the National Emergency Management Agency to, as a matter of national emergency, provide relief materials and medical support to the victims immediately.

The lawmakers lamented that the development was worsening despite the fact that the Senate, despite passing several resolutions, set up ad-hoc committee on Security, held National Security summits and declared every support at bringing an end to the persistent insecurity in our nation and appropriated monies and also advances numerous steps to support our nation’s security agencies.

Moving his motion, Sani Musa said, “For seven years now Niger East Senatorial District of Niger State have come under constant and sustained multiple deadly attacks by heartless, venomous and hydra headed Boko Haram terrorists who are always heavily armed with assorted sophisticated and dangerous weapons unleashing their horror on our innocent populace.

“The negative effects of atrocities committed by these heartless monsters in the period under review include among others, total collapse of the local economics of the affected victims, total collapse of review ional system in the affected areas, famine due to collapse of agricultural activities, displacement as a abuse and deadly subjugation.

“Unfortunately, these repeated attacks are taking place amidst absentane, slightest hindrance, resistance or confrontation from the authorities concerned.

“About 42 communities across the two local government areas of Shiroro and Munya Local Cosmerament have so far fallen under the Boko Haram control with about 5,000 villagers already displaced in the last three days.

“Primary schools in Gwada, Kuta, Pandogari and Minna have hurriedly been turned to IDP camps following the sacking of nearly 5,600 villagers from their ancestral homes in Shiroro, Rafi and Munya local government areas in the last few weeks by bandits who raided the towns and villages.”

It will be recalled that Bandits has continued reading Kaffin Koro, and its environs, a few months ago a Catholic priest was killed and carted away with many people.

Paikoro local government area of Niger State, has been under daily attack by bandits.

Amale, Ishau, Adunu, Kwagana, Dibidiga, Krumi Hya, among others are no go area, as bandits’ continuous attack is now the order of the day.