The Nigerian Senate has called for an urgent closed-door meeting with the country’s security chiefs, following the recent killings in Plateau state by armed bandits.
The Red Chamber reached this decision after former Edo state Governor and senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomole made a prayer that all the heads of security agencies be summoned to explain why they failed in their responsibility to protect the people of Plateau state.
“They came here and assured us that they can secure the country, but we can all agree here that nothing is changing.
“We need to bring them back here,” he said.
Oshiomole was reacting to the motion moved by the Senator representing Plateau Central, Diiket Plang who drew the attention of the house to the attacks that claimed over 150 lives, leaving scores injured, and properties destroyed.
The heads of security invited to appear before the Senate are Chief of Army Staff Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff Hassan Abubakar; Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, and Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) Yusuf Bichi.
The Senate blamed the well-orchestrated attacks on the lack of security intelligence on the part of security agencies in the country.
The service chiefs are expected to brief the House on the security situation of Plateau state. The meeting will also discuss means of adopting better security methods to address the situation and prevent reoccurrence.
News Central reports that armed bandits launched unprecedented attacks on twenty-three villages in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi local government areas of Plateau State.
The attacks happened on the night of Christmas eve, while residents were in their joyous moments preparing for the celebrations.
The bandits strategically spread in different locations, then pounced simultaneously. Security personnel were reportedly overwhelmed with trying to repel the attacks coming from different directions at once.
Houses were razed down, over 150 people killed, and scores injured.
Barely a week after the gruesome killings, the invaders sent in a note threatening more attacks on a community in the state.
Meanwhile, former Plateau state Governor and senator representing Plateau south, Simon Lalong expressed disappointment in the Nigerian security agencies over their failure to respond adequately to the attacks.
“I heard a report from the military this morning and I was disappointed. [It said] why they didn’t deal with the situation was because of proximity and terrain.
“There is nothing like terrain in the military,” he said.
