Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
As the nation’s grapples with current security challenges, the House of Representatives, has finally completed its three-day special session on the security crisis in the country, with members pushing for local government autonomy, border security, community policing and forest guards as parts of measures to combat terrorism and other violent crimes in the country.
The session, which began on Tuesday, in response to the rise in terror attacks and abductions as well as other violent crimes in different parts of the country, has seen members x-raying the security situation in Nigeria and suggesting solutions.
Chimaobi Atu, member representing Enugu North and South Federal Constituency, in his contribution, called for full autonomy for local government even as he urged government to take charge of the many ungoverned spaces in the country.
He said this would go a long way in containing insecurity in the country.
Atu said that full local government autonomy would enable councils take full charge of their respective areas.
According to him: “One of the biggest reasons for insecurity in Nigeria is the huge number of ungoverned spaces in the country.
This allows criminal elements to operate freely. With full and comprehensive local government autonomy, local council Chairmen and councillors could pay closer attention to what is happening in their immediate wards, communities, and local governments.
“To guarantee this arrangement, elections into the 774 local councils must be conducted by a federal body in a transparent manner to allow the best candidates trusted by those at the grassroots to emerge.
“They must also be financially independent of their respective state governments. This way, their finances could be used to fund local government security outfits. This will complement the efforts of state police, which is long overdue.
“Part of the challenges we have as a nation is that significant portions of our forests are unknown to the locals or are not governed by the respective local authorities.
“Therefore, there is a need to properly train and fund local government, state, and federal Forest Guard formations. Let me add that these formations must be adequately armed to have superior or proportional weapons to fight criminals.
“Security is local and cannot be dealt with using a federal approach alone. The fear of abuse by state and local government authorities could be addressed if the right security protocols are put in place. The United States policing system is a model we can adopt and modify to suit our peculiar challenges.”
Also, member representing Toro Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, Dabo Haruna, appealed to government to strengthen the security architecture in the country, as well as ensure border security and deploy technology in fighting crime.
“My suggestion, one, is to strengthen security architecture, community policing, and local security. Address root causes of insecurity, border security, and arms control. Justice system reform, technology-driven security approaches, support for victims and affected communities.”
On his part, the member representing Uhunmwonde/Orhionmwon federal constituency of Edo State, Billy Osawaru, commended President Bola Tinubu for declaring security emergency in the country and ordering the Army Police and intelligence services to immediately expand recruitment and deploy thousands of additional personnel.
“We have to quickly activate our forest guards and intelligence sharing hubs. The DSS and military to track and neutralize armed groups in remote areas. Fast track the counter-terrorism strategic plan of 2025 to 2030. To improve intelligence coordination, law enforcement, collaboration, and community engagement.”
Nevertheless, the lawmaker said the House must also rise up to its responsibility by ensuring that security motions referred to committees are treated with dispatch and reports submitted to the parliament for further legislative actions.
Earlier, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the plenary, said the declaration of security emergency by President Tinubu is an indication that the deliberation by the House is already yielding results.
“I want to let you know that the conversation you are having in this sacred chamber is not falling on deaf ears. Steps have been activated and stimulated by the conversation we are having in this room,” Kalu added.