NIGERIA: Growing insecurity in North Central, North West a cause for concern – Senator Ningi

By KEMI KASUMU

He lamented that each time the authorities took steps to solve security challenges, the step would always be the wrong one, particularly citing the Tucano jets bought by the government to wage war against terrorists but now lying waste.

Nigerian Senator Abdul Ningi has cited the growing number of new bandit groups currently making waves in some states in the North West and North Central geopolitical zones of the country, describing it as a cause for concern.

Representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ningi expressed his mind about how he was not sure that the current service chiefs and others at the top echelon of other security institutions have the sagacity to end banditry attacks in Nigeria.

He said though some of the service chiefs and top brass in the security circle are close to him, he was not sure if they have what it takes to bring Nigeria out of the doldrums of insecurity bedeviling the nation and which has lingered for a long time.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja in the aftermath of the Senate’s adopted motion on the need to convoke a security summit with a view to ending insecurity in the country.

It would be recalled that the Nigerian Senate, on Tuesday May 6, 2025, adopted a resolution to organize a two-day security summit bringing together traditional rulers, security agents, state governors and security experts as well as other stakeholders to deliberate and proffer solutions to the security challenges that seem to now defile solution.

The lawmaker said to mitigate insecurity in the nation, the appointment of Security Chiefs should be based on merit and not on tribe, religion, or political affiliations. “I am not sure the current Security Chiefs have what it takes to bring the country out of the grip of these bandits,” he said.

He asserted that the security summit wasn’t the best way to look for solutions to counter the lingering security challenges in the country. Rather, it would expose some traditional rulers and other persons who may be invited for the program to their enemies.

Ningi named the likes of General Victor Malu, General Agwai, ex-Inspector General of Police, Smith, and others, who he said could serve on the advisory council, having demonstrated their competence in times past.

He urged his colleagues to look inward and tackle the menace once and for all, noting that they both know where the problem lies.

He lamented that each time the authorities took steps to solve security challenges, the step would always be the wrong one, particularly citing the Tucano jets bought by the government to wage war against terrorists but now lying waste.

“To make things worse, the Super Tucano jets that cost the country almost N1 billion in borrowed money are yet to be put to use, what a waste of taxpayers’ money,” said Abdul Ningi.

He said that during the screening of the current security chiefs, he personally asked about the Tucano jets and the answer was that “they brought it with some contract limitations. As such, they can’t use it efficiently and effectively because the U.S. government said there are some limitations on where the Tucanos should be used.”

He added that, “If you know that there are limitations, why did you go there to buy it? Where are they? Why have they not been used?” he queried.

In a video that was shared by Voice TV, Senator Ningi is seen reminding the Senate President that if security was the only achievement of the National Assembly, that would be enough.

But two years later, Ningi asked what progress had been made. He pointed out that the Senate had not seriously questioned or followed up with important security agencies like the Defence, Navy, Air Force, and Police committees. Specifically, the Senator asked questions about the Tucano fighter jets, which were purchased with a borrowed sum of over $1 billion.

He recalled that during the screening of the service chiefs, the Chief of Air Staff was asked where the Tucano jets were: “If you recall, when we screened the service Chiefs, we raised a question to the Chief of Air Staff, where are our Tucano aircraft fighter Jets. And you also recall this Tucano Fighter jets were purchased for not less than $1 billion borrowed,” he said.

The Air-chief responded that although the jets are in Nigeria, they can’t be used as expected because of a contract Nigeria signed when purchasing them. This contract, according to the Chief, limits how the jets can be operated.

Senator Ningi expressed frustration over such a limitation on strategic defence equipment, asking why the jets were bought in the first place if they had usage limitations. He demanded answers about who approved and signed the contract, who handled the purchase, and where the jets are now.

He also stressed how serious the security situation is, with Nigerian soldiers being lost daily to insurgents, and questioned whether the government is truly doing enough to protect its citizens.