Saraki, Dogara to meet Buhari over Kaduna killings, others

The Senate yesterday mandated its leadership and the leadership of the House of Representatives to urgently meet with President Muhammadu Buhari over increasing spate of killings in parts of the country.

Saraki and Dogara were specifically asked to enquire from Buhari how the recommendations of the National Assembly on ways and means to prevent crisis in the country were being implemented.

The resolution followed the consideration and adoption of a motion on: “The wanton killings in Kaduna State, a call for caution.”

Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna North), in his lead debate, drew the attention of the Senate to the wanton killings in Kasuwa Magani, a suburb of Kaduna metropolis under Chikun Local Government.

He expressed concerned over the destruction of lives and property that “have been spiral in the past days of the week”.

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Hunkuyi said the Senate should note “the indiscriminate and senseless killings and insecurity that have pervaded Kaduna and its environs even with the curfew imposed within the state”.

He feared that the curfew while necessary to curb unwarranted movement could also be counter-productive, when majority of the people of the state were living from hand to mouth.

The senator said: “Locking people at home can only solve one aspect of the problem, while it can lead to other crimes like robbery and theft.”

He said the Senate should be aware that the paramount ruler of Adara land, Angwan Adara has been taken hostage with six of his aides killed during a kidnap and hostage-taking on the route from Kaduna to Kachia, which is the headquarters of Adara Chiefdom.

Hunkuyi prayed the Senate to prevail on the Kaduna State Government and the Federal Government to quicken the release of the paramount ruler of Adara, who was taken away about a week ago.

Senator Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central), who officially announced his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), said the killings were totally condemnable.

Senator Danjuma La’ah (Kaduna South) described what is going on in Kaduna as “most unfortunate”.

He said those being killed in Zamfara State were Muslims while those being killed Kaduna State were Christians.

La’ah criticised the action of Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai for leaving the state without handing over to the deputy governor.

The Kaduna South senators said it was obvious that those behind the killings were known.

Senator Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara Central), in his contribution, said those behind the killings “were well known”.

Marafa noted that the killings persist because the perpetrators were never punished.

Senator Philip Gyunka (Nasarawa North) said the problem should be traced to the doorstep of the state governor.

Saraki said those who spoke underscored the fact that perpetrators were not held accountable for their act.

He said there was no doubt that there were problems that needed to be sorted out.

He said the Senate should schedule a date to discuss that issue with heads of security agencies.

Senator Emmanuel Bwacha countered that a head of security agency invited to discuss the issue refused to honour the invitation “and nothing was done to him”.

Saraki agreed with the suggestion of the Senate leader Senator Ahmed Lawan that the National Assembly leadership should engage the Executive on implementation of resolutions on national security.

After two weeks of resumption from its 11-week recess, the National Assembly yesterday adjourned plenary for another two weeks.

The Senate and the House are scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday, November 6.

Saraki, who announced the adjournment, said the break is essentially to enable members of standing committees to carry out their annual oversight functions.

Saraki said the senators are required to focus primarily on the implementation of the 2018 budget.

The Senate yesterday confirmed Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila as the Director General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission.

The confirmation followed a favourable report submitted to the upper legislative body by the Senate Committee on Sports and Youth Development.

Presenting the report, chairman of the committee, Senator Obinna Ogba (Ebonyi Central), said the committee decided to confirm Gbajabiamila after finding him suitable for the job, following an extensive screening exercise.

Similarly, the Senate also confirmed the nomination of Dr. Bello Tukur Ingawa as chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission. Ingawa hailed from Katsina State.

Also confirmed alongside Ingawa were 12 commissioners of the commission.

Their confirmation followed a report submitted to plenary by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, Senator Paulker Emmanuel (Bayelsa Central).