The Nigerian Senate has issued an urgent call for the immediate strengthening and upgrading of joint security operations within Niger and Kwara states. This resolution comes as a direct response to a surge in violent insurgencies, most notably a recent brutal attack in the Borgu Local Government Area that claimed over 50 lives.
The motion, sponsored by Senator Sani Musa (Niger East), highlighted a harrowing escalation of violence in the Konkoso District, where gunmen on motorcycles executed a coordinated raid, killing dozens and abducting women and children. Reports indicate that attackers used over 40 motorcycles to storm remote villages, burning homes and devastating local settlements.
In a decisive move to address the deteriorating security architecture in the North-Central region, the Senate has mandated a joint committee comprising Defence, Army, Air Force, Police Affairs, and National Security and Intelligence to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the region.
The committees are tasked with delivering actionable recommendations within four weeks to stem the tide of violence.
Key Objectives of the Resolution:
Enhanced Intelligence Sharing: Addressing the visible gaps in coordination between security agencies to prevent future surprise attacks.
Cross-Border Collaboration: Strengthening the tactical synergy between security formations in Niger and Kwara states to dismantle terrorist networks operating along shared boundaries.
Protection of Food Security: Senator Musa warned that the persistent targeting of rural farmlands and settlements poses an existential threat to national food stability and economic interests.
Intensified Surveillance: Increasing the presence of aerial and ground surveillance in remote communities that have previously been vulnerable to banditry.
During the floor debate, lawmakers expressed grave concern over the deepening humanitarian crisis and the audacity of the criminal elements. The Senate observed a minute of silence for the victims and reiterated that the safety of citizens in the North-Central zone remains a top priority for the upper chamber.
The Senate’s intervention seeks not only to provide immediate relief to the affected communities in Borgu but to establish a long-term security framework that ensures the safety of the “Middle Belt” as a vital agricultural and social hub of the nation.
