Saraki orders suspension of Senate recess over Benue killings

Nigeria Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has directed members of Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Security to suspend recess and immediately resume sitting and, generate report in readiness for consideration as the Senate officially reconvene next week.

In a statement issued by Special Adviser to the Senate President (Media and Publicity) Yusuph Olaniyonu in Abuja, Wednesday, Saraki ‎said, “I believe the sad situation in Benue State shows some fundamental faults in our security system.

“There is clear failure of intelligence gathering, analysis and response time. Our security agencies must be totally overhauled in terms of equipment, specialization, funding, training and staffing.

“This is the reason why in November, the Senate set up a special committee led by Senate Majority Leader, Ahmed Lawan to work with security agencies and review the entire system with a view to identifying what is required in terms of laws, process, procedure, funding and other necessities for us to have a solid security system which can be pro-active in identifying potential threats, responding to them on time and preventing any breach.

“We are quite aware of the fact that security is the first and prime responsibility of any government. That is why since early last week I have directed the Lawan committee to take into consideration the sad developments in Benue and Rivers in their deliberations. Now, we cannot wait for the time they planned to conclude their recommendations. They must fast track their schedule.”

“They must sit through the weekend and get an interim report ready for the Senate when we resume plenary on Tuesday. We must immediately support the executive in solving this problem.

“We cannot afford shedding of blood and we are already moving into the election year with the potential for the aggravation or escalation of these problems. We must decisively resolve the problem of needless bloodletting”, Saraki stated.