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.