The Senate ad hoc committee planning the National Security Summit has announced plans to hold regional consultations with victims of insecurity to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
The committee will also engage with stakeholders within the region to understand the causes of banditry, kidnapping, terror attacks and other criminal activities in the zones.
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Chairperson of the committee, Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this during its inaugural meeting on Wednesday
Mr Bamidele, the senate leader, said the initiative was part of the committee’s strategies to design people-centred and sustainable solutions to the persistent threats of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of criminal activities across the country.
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He stressed the importance of engaging directly with victims and stakeholders at the grassroots to uncover the real causes of insecurity in each geopolitical zone.
“To achieve this objective, the committee will first hold meetings with critical stakeholders in each geo-political zone with a view to unravelling the root causes of security challenges, identifying key actors behind it and devising measures for their effective management.
“The committee shall also engage victims of armed violence in different parts of the federation for the purpose of seeking diverse perspectives on these challenges. We will interact with our people on ground; listen to their fear and apprehension and garner their suggestions on how to transform insecurity to effective order,” he said.
To address Nigeria’s security challenges, the Senate, the nation’s highest legislative body, resolved to organise a two-day national security summit.
The upper chamber initially made the decision after adopting a motion sponsored by Ondo South Senator, Jimoh Ibrahim, during the plenary on 6 May.
A few days later, the Senate constituted a 20-member committee chaired by Mr Bamidele to design the framework for the summit, including agenda-setting, identifying discussion points, and proposing actionable strategies to curb insecurity.
Aside from Mr Bamidele, the committee also comprises high-ranking senators from the Senate leadership and chairpersons of security-related committees, such as Adams Oshiomhole (Chairman Committee on Interior), Ahmad Malam-Madori (Chairman Police Affairs Committee), Gbenga Daniel (Chairman Committee on Navy), Ahmed Lawan (Chairman Committee on Defence) and Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (Chairman Committee on Army).
Others are: Tahir Monguno (Chief Whip), Abba Moro (Minority Leader) and Osita Ngwu (Minority Whip).
The committee’s mandate is not only to plan the summit but to also ensure that its outcomes reflect the concerns of ordinary Nigerians and align with the realities on the ground.
Past efforts and the need for a new approach
This is not the first time a national security summit has been considered by the federal lawmakers.
The 9th National Assembly, under former Senate President Ahmad Lawan and former Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, held a similar summit in May 2021 to address the nation’s security challenges.
The security challenges have remained despite the participation of security experts, civil society organisations, and government representatives.
The current 10th Senate has also summoned service chiefs and heads of security agencies numerous times since its inauguration in 2023. Also, there have been several debates on security in the two chambers of the National Assembly, yet insecurity remains a national concern. Kidnappings, insurgency and banditry have persisted, with many citizens expressing frustration over the lack of visible progress.
Committee’s promises
Mr Bamidele assured that the summit would bring together a coalition of actors, including traditional rulers, the military, law enforcement agencies, government institutions, the media, civil society, and local communities.
“Nigeria can only be on the path of development and prosperity when peace and unity are guaranteed. Therefore, the committee will work around the clock to come up with far-reaching measures that will bring about peace and stability
“The summit will involve every segment of Nigerian society; traditional institutions, government agencies, military and intelligence/security agencies, local government, the media and other public-spirited individuals and groups with good ideas to share towards attaining the desired outcome of the summit,” he added.
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