House Urges FG to Adopt Comprehensive Approach to Tackle Insecurity

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The House of Representatives has called on the federal government to adopt a comprehensive approach for the management of insecurity in Nigeria.

It also urged the government to come up with a comprehensive policy on security with emphasis on the safety of the citizens in all ramifications.

The resolutions of the House were sequel to the adoption of a motion moved at the plenary yesterday in Abuja by Hon. Lawal Idirisu.

Idirisu said Nigeria still relied on a traditional security approach, which could not guarantee the welfare of the people as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

Idirisu said: “Aware that the traditional approach to security de-emphasises people’s access to food, healthcare, education and a safe environment, which are key sources of insecurity for the citizens.”

The lawmaker pointed out that the general state of insecurity in the country stemed from the failure of the state to embrace its citizens, integrate its youths through free education and access to economic opportunities and give everyone a sense of belonging regardless of their class, ethnic group, religious belief and political affiliation.

Idirisu shared the opinion that the hardship presently in the country has contributed in no small measure in worsening the security situation of Nigeria.

The lawmaker stressed that contrary to widely held views, security is an all-inclusive situation in which the citizens live in safety, freedom and peace, participate fully in the process of governance, have access to economic opportunities and the basic necessities of life and inhabit an environment which is not harmful to health and wellbeing.

He identified the use of the coercive apparatuses of the state focused on territory, political independence, and the survival of the state from external aggression without paying attention to the welfare of the citizens as a fundamental component of the presently troubled peace and security in the country.

The lawmaker expressed concern over the withdrawal of federal government from providing essential services through privatisation and commercialisation, removal of subsidies and deregulation of the economy, among others, have had spiral effects on the cost of food and essential services such as healthcare, education and electricity which are increasingly becoming inaccessible to ordinary Nigerians.

Idirisu noted that the failure of the government to integrate the citizens into society via education, access to economic opportunities and other essential services was largely responsible for the huge number of youth’s involvement in criminal activities.

The House urged “federal government to come up with a comprehensive policy on security with emphasis on the safety of the citizens in all ramifications.

“We also urge the President to direct his economic team to devise and implement measures that will make the citizens secure with an emphasis on reduction of the cost of essential services such as transportation, education, healthcare, electricity, communication, among others.”

The House also called on the federal government to address the unevenness in the distribution of security operatives and essential amenities between urban and rural areas.