Senate, Reps to hold joint session June 12, decry rising insecurity
By Ndukaku Ihe
The Senate and House of Representatives will on June 12, hold a joint session to commemorate Democracy Day, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expected to attend.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio made the announcement during plenary on Wednesday, shortly before the red chamber adjourned sitting until Tuesday, June 17 for the Sallah break.
He urged all senators to be present at the session, noting the President’s “gracious” agreement to participate.
Meanwhile, lawmakers have raised concerns over the deteriorating security situation in parts of the country, particularly in Kogi and Taraba states.
Chairman of Senate Services, Steve Karimi, told the chamber while contributing to a motion on recent farmer-herder clashes in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, that no fewer than 30 persons had been kidnapped within one week in Kogi-West Senatorial District.
He lamented the growing spate of insecurity and accused “disgruntled elements” of working to undermine the Tinubu administration by stoking violence.
“This is looking like a repeat of the events that played out before the 2015 elections,” he said, adding, “We can’t allow disgruntled elements to pull the country down because of their interest.”
He also referenced the unresolved abduction of Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Obalohun of Okoloke in Yagba-West LGA, who was kidnapped on May 15.
The motion on the Taraba crisis, moved by Senator Isa Lau, detailed how fighting between farmers and herders in Karim Lamido began on May 23. The violence reportedly led to multiple deaths, the destruction of 47 houses, and the displacement of about 200 villagers.
In response, the Senate urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to dispatch relief materials to the affected communities.
Lawmakers also called on security agencies to strengthen surveillance and operations along the borders of Taraba, Plateau, and Bauchi states to curb the movement of criminal elements.
