Members of the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, stressed the need for President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to seek foreign assistance in combating insurgency, banditry and kidnapping across the country.
The lawmakers gave the charge during the debate on a motion of Urgent National Importance sponsored by former Deputy Majority Leader, Hon Yakubu Umar Barde, who lamented the incessant abduction and killing of innocent citizens in Chikun/Kayuru Federal Constituency Kaduna State.
The lawmakers who tasked all the security agencies to take necessary measures to ensure early and safe return of the abductees urged Federal Government to “as a matter of urgency increase its recruitment and training capacity for Military men and police to close the gap between available and required manpower.”
In his lead debate, Hon Barde condemned the activities of armed bandits who attacked Bethel Baptist High School Damshi, Chikun Local Government Area and abducted over 140 students from their hostel out of which 28 escaped from their abductors and have reunited with their families where 2 Military personnel lost their lives, underscored the need for the present administration to increase the presence of security agents within the constituency.
According to him, abductors of 18 people who were kidnapped in the Kakau area of Kaduna State, 10 days ago demanded N200 million from the community.
“The Chief called me if I could assist, I was taken aback because I did not know where to start from. Where do I raise N200 million to help? They negotiated and they said they must bring up to N150 million and the man who was negotiating said the community does not have that kind of money.
“The House notes that on 4th of July 2021, armed bandits attacked the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Centre Zaria, Kaduna State where they kidnapped 10 people including children, a nursing mother, Nurses and a Security Guard.
“The House further notes that on July 3, 2021, armed bandits attacked our state and abducted 26 residents, the gang of bandits killed two of the kidnapped victims and took away the rest.
“The House recall that on 19th of June 2021, about 16 people were kidnapped from their homes at Unguwan Madaki, Kakau ward, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State of the abducted innocent people who were shot dead by their abductors to press home their demands for ransom.
“The House also recalls that on 20th of April 2021, armed bandits attacked Greenfields University Campus at Kasarami, Chikun Local Government Area in the attacked, the bandits kidnapped 22 students and a Matron of the kidnapped students were brutally murdered by the bandits to press home their seriousness for ransom while the other 17 students and the Matron where only released upon payment of ransom.
“The House further recalls that on 22nd of April 2021, armed bandits attacked and abducted 2 Nurses on Night Shift at den General Hospital in Kajuru Local Government Area, the 2 Nurses are still being held captive to date.
“The House is concerned that there are quite a lot of unreported cases of bandit attack on various communities where they abduct innocent citizens for ransom.
“The House is further concerned that these incessant kidnappings and killings have a negative impact on food security, agriculture and employment. The House is aware that the Kaduna State Government has shut down 13 schools in Kaduna State as a proactive measure to prevent further incidents.
“The House is further aware that there are thousands of people displaced from the communities due to frequent attacks and who are taking refuge on various unofficial IDP camps in my constituency and the state government has provided relief materials which are grossly inadequate,” he noted.
While condemning the senseless incessant killings and abductions of Nigerians, the House urged National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to urgently provide relief materials to the displaced persons.
In a chat with Parliamentary Correspondents, Hon Barde said: “For me, the military is overwhelmed. The Federal Government is overwhelmed and my call is that even the greatest of nations seek assistance, even America; depending on what they want, they seek assistance. Why can’t we in this country call a spade a spade and say we are overwhelmed. Let nations that are willing come to help us. Why? Is it because we are hiding something?
“If we are not why can’t we, we should call on the developed countries that are willing to join hands. China does a lot of business with Nigeria, is it for economic interest alone; why not for military interest; why not for the protection of property and safety of Nigerians. Are they interested in only building rails which is a profitable venture? What are they giving back to the nation?”
While responding to questions bothering on alleged connivance of bandits and security agents, Hon Barde said: “For me, it is very true. I want to believe it is very true. I remember an incident if you can recall there was to be an attack on bandits in Borno State. I think the aim of the government then was to use gas. But two days later we saw the bandits with gas masks.
“Now who told them? Can we say there are no moles in the military? But leadership is the ability to sieve the good, bad and ugly even in your organisation. If you have an organisation of 20, 000 people you cannot tell me they can be all good. There must be moles. Leadership is the ability to have the intellect to fish out moles among them. If the military cannot fish out the moles among them, then I am sorry I think there would be no end to this.
“How many bandits have been arrested and you heard the government say we recovered N10 million. I want to know if there is any because I have never heard. So when the bandits collect the money where does the money go to? It is connivance. There are people in the town who take the money? The collaborators are in town and they use the money to buy properties. Go and check today. For most of the properties today in Abuja who are the ones buying them? Who are the owners of the choice houses being bought today all over the town, where do they get the money?
“I am not in support of paying ransom because you are emboldening them. The government can subdue them. I strongly believe that. If the government cannot subdue them, then we are hopeless. Then we should defend ourselves. I heard the Governor of Katsina say why should you stay in your room and they condemn and attack you. The question I want to throwback to the governor is which training and what equipment did you give that person to defend himself with. I support my governor saying he would not pay a ransom, but maybe it was not necessary for him to say it.
“Honestly the government has failed in terms of providing security for my constituents. I would speak particularly for my constituents. If there is anything said that they are doing their best, I would say their best is not good enough. Their best is a failure. Let us say it, how long shall we continue this way? Are we going to continue to live like this? As I speak to you today, to prevent these things from happening, Kaduna State Government has closed down 13 schools.
“Very soon children are going to WAEC and they do not have lectures. They are going to sit at home to write. Are we thinking of the future of these children? If you look at their own case it is even better because they are thinking of writing exams; how about those abducted? Will they think of exams?
“They are thinking of their safety and every leader of concern should think of their safety. How are they feeding there? The trauma they will go through. Some of them may not come back sane again. They may not be the same people,” he noted.
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