* Okorocha seeks legislative intervention over killings in Imo
Deji Elumoye and Juliet Akoje in Abuja
The upper chamber of the National Assembly has emphasised that for Nigeria to overcome its security challenges, efforts must be made to seek diversified solutions outside the military option to the problems of banditry, militancy and insurgency facing the country.
This is just as a former governor of Imo State and Senator representing Imo West in the National Assembly, Rochas Okorocha, sought the intervention of the legislative arm in addressing the wanton killings and arson taking place in the state.
The President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, who stressed the issue of security challenges, spoke at Tuesday plenary while reacting to a point of order raised by Okorocha to draw the attention of the Senate to the heightening spate of insecurity in Imo State.
According to him, the National Assembly has equally been consistent with the approach in coming up with legislative interventions needed to address the security challenges of the country.
He explained that such interventions include job creation, and the introduction of required legislation to promote economic development from local and foreign investments.
According to him, “This Senate and, indeed, the entire National Assembly has been very consistent in trying to find some kind of solution – a more permanent solution to ending the security situation in the country and, of course, we will continue to do so.
“[And] I agree that we need to diversify our means of getting the solution to the numerous myriads of security challenges across the country.”
Earlier, Okorocha, while coming under Order 43 (Personal Explanation) of the Senate Rules, lamented what he described as the “escalating state of insecurity” in Imo State.
He, therefore, sought the intervention of the Red Chamber to tackle the security issues around his home state, adding that insecurity seemed to be escalating on daily basis in Imo despite the involvement of the military, police and other security agencies.
According to him, the situation called for serious concern, asking the Senate to intervene in finding a lasting solution to the problem.
He said: “Where I represent, Mr. President, there is no day that passes in the state without one ugly story of kidnapping, killing, maiming, burning of innocent people’s homes, shops on daily basis.
“Mr. Senate President, two weeks ago, it was the killing of traditional rulers. The other day, a policeman was killed, and a few days ago, it was killing of a military man.
“Again, the killing of innocent souls and burning of people’s houses and homes, Mr. Senate President, has called for serious concern.
“That is why I deem it fit to bring to the notice of this Red Chamber and by extension, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that something must be done to guarantee the safety of lives and properties of citizens of Imo State.
“But most importantly, I think the matter requires some form of engagements to really find out what the nitty gritty is and resolve them, accordingly.
“Because over time, the military and the police and other security agencies are involved, but it seems to be escalating on daily basis.
“So, I am only informing you and by extension, that we should find a way of resolving this matter so that peace may reign in that land.”
