As insecurity continues to grip various parts of Nigeria, the Senate has announced plans to convene a two-day national dialogue on security in the Federal Capital Territory, aimed at identifying sustainable solutions to the country’s worsening violence.
The forum will bring together stakeholders from all tiers of government, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, and security institutions. It will also serve as a platform for public consultation, with each of the 109 senators expected to engage their constituents in discussions on outcomes from the summit.
The decision to organise the event follows a motion presented by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South) and co-sponsored by Senators Titus Zam (Benue North-West), Onyeka Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North), and Osita Ngwu (Enugu West). Titled “Urgent Need for a National Security Summit,” the motion highlighted the widespread impact of kidnappings, armed attacks, and other forms of violence across all six geopolitical zones.
Lawmakers voiced deep concern about the persistent threat posed by insurgents, bandits, and other criminal elements, citing the erosion of public confidence in government protection and the overstretching of Nigeria’s security architecture.
The Senate also drew attention to global factors exacerbating the situation, such as rising food insecurity driven by international conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, and the economic pressures arising from shifting global alliances. These, the Senate argued, are aggravating domestic instability and posing a threat to national sovereignty.
The chamber further warned of parallels with historical moments of political unrest, including the 1953 Kano riots and election-related violence in 1983. With general elections scheduled for 2027, senators called for proactive measures to avert a resurgence of such crises.
Beyond convening the summit, the Senate called on the executive branch to revisit and revise existing national security strategies, ensuring that the recommendations from the summit are translated into actionable policies.
While the majority of lawmakers supported the idea of the summit, others were cautious, questioning its effectiveness given past experiences. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe expressed skepticism, recalling numerous similar initiatives that failed to yield tangible results.
Echoing those sentiments, Senator Abdul Ningi remarked, “We can’t keep repeating ineffective solutions and expect different outcomes. The people who elected us are looking for results, not recycled rhetoric.”
Nevertheless, the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, insisted that all possible avenues must be explored in the fight against crime. “There’s no single fix. Every approach that might help even if it has failed before should be reconsidered and refined,” he argued.
Senator Adamu Aliero raised an urgent alert over a new terror group reportedly operating in parts of Niger and Kwara States, urging the Senate to demand direct briefings from military and intelligence leaders. He voiced doubts over whether a summit was the right priority at this moment.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, while acknowledging the differing views, affirmed that the summit would be inclusive, involving voices from affected communities, student organisations, and traditional rulers. “Security concerns touch every part of this country, and the response must be collective,” he said.
In a solemn gesture, the Senate observed a minute’s silence for those who recently lost their lives in violent incidents in Uromi (Edo State) and Billiri (Gombe State). Lawmakers urged security agencies to take preventative action during future public events, and they pressed the Gombe State Government to compensate victims of the Easter incident involving a truck driver.
