By Mercy Gadia Adi
The Nigerian Senate has approved a two-day national security summit to discuss solutions to the rising insecurity in the country.
The decision was made during a plenary session on Tuesday, following a motion sponsored by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, representing Ondo South.
Senator Ibrahim highlighted the global nature of insecurity, citing events in Russia and Ukraine, tensions between the global north and south, and the impact on food security and sustainable development goals. “The high level of global insecurity is driven by events in Russia and Ukraine and compounded by tensions between the global north and global south,” he said.
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The senator emphasized the need for Nigeria to clarify its strategic engagement in international affairs and maximize national interest. “Nigeria must clarify its strategic engagement in international affairs, noting that the senate has a role in advising the executive to maximise national interest,” he said.
Senator Ibrahim also warned that the next world war may not require traditional militarism, but rather economic warfare. “The next world war may not even require the fanfare of militarism. The incredible growing economic war is gaining ground with destructive innovation in security globally,” he said.
On the situation in Nigeria, Senator Ibrahim said insecurity has become “pervasive”, affecting both urban and rural areas. “Insecurity has become pervasive, affecting both urban and rural areas where banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other violent crimes persist,” he said.
Senator Mohammed Dandutse, representing Katsina South, seconded the motion, emphasizing the importance of intelligence sharing among security agencies. “Nigeria is blessed, we have no other country except Nigeria. We have to face these criminals squarely. No country succeeds except with peace and security,” he said.
However, Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and Adamu Aliero expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of a security summit. Despite this, Senators Titus Zam and Abba Moro, the Senate Minority Leader, backed the motion.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the motion to a voice vote, and a majority of senators voted in favor of the summit. Akpabio said the summit should last for two days instead of the three days proposed by Ibrahim.
The Senate has resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to organize the two-day national security summit in Abuja. The event will include delegates from all levels of government, as well as traditional institutions.
The Senate also urged the federal government to review and rejig the country’s security policies based on the outcomes of the summit. This development is seen as a significant step towards addressing Nigeria’s security challenges and promoting peace and stability in the country.