Senate Launches Nationwide Consultations on Insecurity
The Nigerian Senate has announced plans to embark on a series of nationwide consultations across the six geo-political zones to develop lasting solutions to the country’s deepening insecurity crisis.
Senate Leader and Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee on National Security Summit, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, made this known during the committee’s inaugural meeting in Abuja. According to him, no development initiative can succeed without peace and security.
“No amount of investment in infrastructure can yield meaningful results if insecurity persists,” Bamidele stated, emphasizing that peace is the foundation of progress.
The 20-member committee includes key lawmakers overseeing the nation’s security sectors, such as Senators Tahir Monguno (Chief Whip), Abba Moro (Minority Leader), Adams Oshiomhole (Interior), and Ahmed Lawan (Defence), among others.
Bamidele outlined the committee’s plan to hold zonal dialogues involving political leaders, security agencies, civil society, local governments, traditional rulers, and victims of violence.
“We are going to the grassroots to hear from the people directly affected by violence. Only by listening to their fears, frustrations, and hopes can we create effective solutions,” he said.
Highlighting the spread of violence to previously peaceful areas, Bamidele cited rising insecurity in Kwara, Benue, and across the South-East and South-West regions.
He assured that the Senate would push for bold, inclusive reforms and pledged the committee’s commitment to delivering practical recommendations to restore hope and security across Nigeria.
CDS Meets Benue Traditional Rulers to Push for Peace
In a parallel effort to stem insecurity, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, held a peace advocacy meeting in Makurdi with Benue State’s top traditional leaders, including the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ortese Ayatse, and the Och’Idoma, John Odogbo.
This marked the second high-level engagement aimed at finding community-driven solutions to persistent violence in the state.
General Musa reaffirmed the federal government’s resolve to restore security and enable displaced persons to return to their homes. He praised the traditional leaders for their openness and urged ongoing collaboration with the military.
“Security can’t be achieved by force alone; dialogue and cooperation with communities are essential,” Musa said, vowing to root out criminals, regardless of ethnic or political affiliations.
The Tor Tiv acknowledged progress since the last meeting and admitted that internal factors, such as cattle rustling, also fuel conflict. He pledged support in controlling these issues locally.
The Och’Idoma urged security forces to target violent armed herders while protecting peaceful Fulani residents. “We are not against Fulani people. We are against criminals hiding among them,” he clarified.
General Musa also confirmed that arrests had been made in connection with recent attacks in Yelewata and that prosecutions were underway. He emphasized that illegal arms possession would not be tolerated and that perpetrators would be arrested or neutralized.
Afenifere Renews Call for State Police and Restructuring
Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has called on President Bola Tinubu to forward an Executive Bill to the National Assembly to establish state police and restructure the country.
In a communique issued by National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, after an executive meeting in Akure, the group expressed concern over worsening insecurity across the country, particularly in the South-West.
“State police must be established without delay,” Afenifere stated, adding that modern security technology such as drones and CCTV must be deployed, and that internal collaborators in politics and security agencies must be exposed.
The group backed the enforcement of anti-open grazing laws and restated its call for restructuring, arguing it would help resolve Nigeria’s socio-political and economic challenges.
Afenifere also paid tribute to former Kwara State Governor, Chief Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo, who recently passed away, hailing his contributions during the pro-democracy struggle.
FG Unveils National Flood Insurance Policy
In a move to combat Nigeria’s recurring flood disasters, the federal government has initiated the development of a National Flood Insurance Policy and Implementation Framework.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari, revealed the plan during a technical committee meeting in Abuja. He said the policy forms part of a broader National Erosion and Flood Control strategy.
Kambari emphasized the need for proactive rather than reactive responses to flooding and explained that the new insurance programme would serve as a financial safety net for individuals, businesses, and communities impacted by floods.
The scheme is expected to:
- Enable quick recovery from flood losses,
- Reduce the financial burden on federal and state governments, and
- Promote risk-sharing between public and private stakeholders.
He also called for stronger collaboration across all levels of government and the private sector, especially developers operating in flood-prone areas.
These developments underscore a multi-pronged effort by the Nigerian government and civil society to tackle both security and environmental challenges with inclusive, long-term strategies.
