Senators fault military strategy against bandits, urge bombardment of terrorists’ enclaves 

The Senate has called on the Army and Airforce to, as a matter of urgency, bombard terrorist enclaves with a view to restoring peace and stability in the country.

The call was made on Tuesday amid resolutions reached, following a point of order raised on “the continuing attacks on communities and public facilities in Kaduna State.”

The point of order was raised by Senator Uba Sani (Kaduna Central). 

The lawmaker, noted that terrorists have in recent times stepped up attacks on some communities and public facilities in Kaduna State. 

He expressed concern that the unrelenting attacks calls to question the strategies and tactics being adopted by the security forces. 

“We expected that with the declaration of bandits as terrorists by a court of competent jurisdiction, they will be degraded in no time. 

“This appears not to be happening. The security forces must reassess their strategies and come up with workable and effective solutions to the menace of terrorists in Kaduna State,” he added.

Sani observed that the forests where the terrorists hold sway are not impregnable, calling for “a comprehensive operational plan, executed with high sense of professionalism and responsibility, total commitment on the part of our security forces and the support and cooperation of the local communities will rid Kaduna State forests of these murderous elements.”

He bemoaned the attacks by bandits on a Kaduna bound train carrying over 970 passengers around Kateri – Rijana axis in Kaduna, just a few kilometers to the Rigasa Train Station in Igabi Local Government Area of the state. 

“The train derailed after the first wave of attacks. Grenades and RPG were used. They rained bullets on all the coaches. Some passengers were killed, while many sustained bullet wounds. 

“There are reports that some of the passengers were abducted. The terrified passengers only breathed a sigh of relief when security agencies arrived and secured the train and the area. It’s been a reign of undiluted terror,” Senator Sani said.

He added: “These latest attacks are aimed at instilling fear in the people and destroying the economies of our local communities. 

“It is disheartening that these enemies of the people are getting emboldened by the day. They are becoming more brazen. These blood cuddling vampires have no regard for human life. They have no place in a civilized society.”

Contributing, Senator Gabriel Suswam lamented that Kaduna had become the new theatre of insecurity.

He said the lingering activities of terrorists in the state makes it imperative for the appropriate authorities to take decisive action. 

The lawmaker attributed the inability of the military to curtail growing incidents of terrorism to “a clear failure of leadership.”

On his part, Senator Danjuma La’ah, said if the security situation in the country is not nipped in the bud, political leaders would become the main targets of terrorists. 

The Senate, accordingly, in its resolutions, urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to declare full scale war against terrorists, so as to fully secure all national territory from them in whatever guise.

It urged the Army and the Air Force to carry out sustained bombardment of terrorist enclaves with a view to flushing them out and restoring peace and stability to our communities.

The Senate further directed security agencies to always take steps to prevent the occurrence of similar incidence in the future. 

It added that the military should, as a matter of urgency, monitor the construction and inhabitants of new shanty buildings around the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.

The chamber urged relevant agencies of government to step up their information gathering mechanism to, forestall these incessant attacks.