The House of Representatives on Wednesday, 29 May, turned down a motion calling for the deployment of machinery to help combat the growing insecurity in the country, resolving to discuss the issue at a later date in an executive session.
However, following the adoption of a motion on urgent public importance on the floor of the green chamber on Wednesday, moved by the member representing Bakori/Danja Federal Constituency, Katsina State, Abdullahi Dabai, the House resolved to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to find a solution to the worsening insecurity situation in the country.
Hon. Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno) had brought an amendment to a motion on banditry in the country, stressing that machinery was employed to work with security forces in the country to combat Boko Haram during the Jonathan era, and noting that they were later withdrawn by the government.
In one of the recommendations of its security summit, the 9th House of Representatives had asked the federal government to consider using security contractors (also known as mercenaries) in the fight against insecurity.
But some members opposed allowing the motion to be approved by the House, warning that it would not be in the country’s interest to engage mercenaries, while some members suggested that retired soldiers be brought back to help the armed forces combat insecurity given their experience.
Former deputy speaker of the House, Hon. Idris Wase (APC, Plateau) warned the House against continuing the debate in plenary, saying no parliament discusses security strategies in the open, and adding that the House should suspend the discussion in the open and reserve it for another day.
Dabai had said that the people of his constituency are living in a state of fear owing to constant attacks by bandits, saying, “Families have lost their loved ones, their means of livelihood, and their homes. The psychological trauma inflicted on the survivors, particularly those who have lost family members or witnessed the destruction, cannot be overstated. The kidnappings have further exacerbated the situation, with families anxiously awaiting the return of their loved ones.
“The recent spate of attacks has resulted in significant loss of lives, destruction of properties, and displacement of residents, thereby necessitating immediate intervention.”
Contributing to the motion, Jaha, who represents Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok Federal Constituency, Borno State, called on the federal government to engage mercenaries, noting that more advanced nations than Nigeria are doing the same.
“Our security agencies are doing their best. Nobody is saying that they are not doing their best, but there is nothing wrong if we engage foreign mercenaries to help us get rid of these insurgents, Boko Haram or what have you.
“Ukraine is stronger than Nigeria and so is Russia, but these nations are using external forces. I believe this can be of assistance to this country because this war has been on for over a decade,” he said.
However, his suggestion did not go down well with some members led by Abbas Adigun (PDP, Oyo) who argued that young military officers who retired during the presidency of Muhammadu Buhari should be engaged to fight the bandits.
He said: “I don’t think that the way to go is for us to engage mercenaries. Some young military officers were retired a few years ago. These young men can deal with the situation. They can get the job done.”
On his part, Bamidele Salam (PDP, Osun) urged the government to focus on addressing the challenges of poor access to education, adding that there is a nexus between lack of education and insecurity.
He said: “What is the correlation between insecurity and education? What is the correlation between insecurity and poverty? I think the government will need to create more access to education and focus on poverty alleviation measures. If you take a look at it, you will notice that in places where the level of education is high, insecurity is low and vice versa.”
