Senate president Ahmad Lawan says the security situation in some parts of the country is deteriorating, but the military has done “a good job” in trying to fix it.
Lawan made the comments after Istifanus Gyang, senator representing Plateau north, drew the attention of the senate to some attacks by bandits in some communities in Plateau.
In a personal explanation to his colleagues on Wednesday, Gyang lamented that the bandits have become so emboldened that they give notices before attacking their targets.
But Lawan blamed the worsening security situation on the lack of resources. Let me remark here that the security agencies should ensure that we maintain security in areas that appear to be flashpoints,” the senate president said.
“I agree with you recently that the security situation in some parts of the country has started to deteriorate. But I think the military has done a very good job in improving security across the country and we commend them for doing so much with insufficient resources.
“At all times, our focus must be on providing security and improving the welfare of the citizens of Nigeria. I also commend you for bringing this information on what is happening in your senatorial district to the senate.” Thereafter, the senate observed a one-minute silence in honour of all those that were killed in the attacks.
Meanwhile, Army chief: We have capacity, strength to defend Nigeria
Faruk Yahaya, chief of army staff, says the Nigerian Army has the capacity and moral strength to deliver on its constitutional mandate of defending the nation. Yahaya spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at the closing of the 2023 edition of the Chief of Army Staff First Quarter Conference.
He commended troops for their commitment and sacrifice across theatres of operations and during the general election, adding that there is no lawful assignment the army cannot deliver on.
Yahaya encouraged the troops to sustain the tempo in the defence of the nation’s territorial integrity. He added that the collective efforts of the personnel led to operational successes being recorded across the theatres of operations.
“I must also remark that we have the capacity and moral strength to deliver on our constitutional mandate,” he said. We should, therefore, always be reminded that we are men of honour and we should perform our duty with courage and complete loyalty.”
The army chief urged commanders to strive to improve on recorded successes and also pay attention to troops’ conduct in all operations.
“Commanding officers must take full responsibility for their units and always apply their initiatives in taking charge of their units,” he said. Yahaya added that the Nigerian Army is on course to achieving self-sufficiency in defence production.
“I am glad that the Nigerian army research and development efforts has in recent times received renewed push to contribute towards addressing our needs and contemporary challenges,” he said.
“The newly established Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre is also positioned to support the research and development effort Nigerian Army delivers.”
