We’ll see end of banditry by the grace of God this year – Senate

By Henry Umoru

The Senate has said that continued cases of armed banditry, insurgency, with continued killings, kidnapping and wanton destruction of property will end this year 2026 and assured that it will look at the 2026 budget to favour the Military.

According to the Senate and as lawmakers, it is their opinion that the issue of banditry should end now, just as it it has urged President Bola Tinubu and Security Agencies to sustain coordinated operations until all criminal elements are flushed out.

Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja when he responded to a point of Order raised by Senator Garba Maidoki, APC, Kebbi South, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio said that on 1st of January this year, his prayer to God and which hespread to the nation was that the banditry and insurgency should end this year, adding that by the grace of God, in 2026 will not see the end of Nigeria and Nigerians, but rather the people shall see the end of 2026 and the end of banditry.

The President of the Senate said, “I want to thank you Senator Maidoki for your very strong stance and to say that we in the Senate are with you. We share the same opinion. We are of the opinion that this banditry should end. In fact, on the 1st of January, my prayer to God and which I spread to the nation was that the banditry and insurgency should end this year.

“By the grace of God, in 2026, we will not see our end, but rather we shall see the end of 2026 and the end of banditry. That’s our prayer.So I understand the anger.

“But also note, there are a lot of things involved. They only go for soft targets. We cannot have military barracks in every village in Nigeria. The country is very vast. So they go for soft targets. And when they go, they cause massive damage. And by the time we move there, it becomes reactionary.

“I advise we do everything to explore the possibility of using very sophisticated drones in very vast areas that we can we can man. I assure you the national assembly will take cognisance of your plea and look at the 2026 budget in a way that will favour the military in general and also the national orientation agency to do its best to sensitise the public so that when you see anything should report.”

Earlier in his remarks, Senator Maidoki who came under Order 42, highlighted the issue of banditry has continued unabated stressing the need for it to be nipped in the bud, adding that the Senate should put enough resources as the budget is with and that the Upper Chamber should put money for the army, take money from whatever source possible and fund the military and fund them well so that banditry will end within this year as they don’t want this in 2026.

Senator Maidoki said, “Senate President I have craved to you severally concerning insecurity in my own area and graciously a committee was set up of joint chiefs so that we can look at these security issues holistically.

“Last time, we have agreed that the funding for the military

We’ll be right back. This is budget period. I told you if you give me school today and I run away from that school, it’s of no use to me.

“If you give me a road and I run away from that place, the road is not useful to me. What I want is I want to be secured. I want my people to be secured. The army are doing very well, sir. But they are understaffed. Three days ago, I lost my own brother, who is a warrant officer in this insurgency he died on fighting this banditry.

“I am proud of him. But if we are not able to increase the boot of these soldiers that will man this country, 230,000 soldiers as 2025 will not do anything in this banditry, there is no way we will be fighting banditry for 20 years how long do we want to continue with this problem let’s put enough resources. the budget is coming here let’s put money for the army let’s take money from whatever source possible and fund the military and fund them well

so that this thing can finish within this year we don’t want this in 2026.”

Also the Senate has urged President Tinubu to approve his pledge to create a new Military Barracks in the Zone, just as it has directed the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to issue the new Squadron if established at least Three (3) Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) to intensify intelligence-driven operations including forest combing, cross-state collaboration, and community-based intelligence systems across Katsina and other hotspots;

The Upper Chamber called on communities in Katsina and across Nigeria to remain united, vigilant, and supportive of security efforts, while resisting internal collaborators who undermine national security, just as it commended President Tinubu and security agencies for their rapid interventions.

The Senate has directed the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and NEMA to provide immediate relief support to traumatized families and affected communities, even as it observed a One-minute silence for the memory of the departed souls.

Resolutions of the Senate on Wednesday were sequel toa motion titled,”Need to Review Approach in Addressing Insecurity in Katsina State — A Call for Immediate and Comprehensive Federal Intervention.

The motion was sponsored by Senator Muntari Dandutse, APC, Katsina South.

In his presentation, Senator Dandutse said that “The Senate: Deeply disturbed by the recent horrific attacks on Members of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force who were ambushed in broad daylight in Guga, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State where three Police personnel were killed and two critically injured;

“Notes with grave concern that as at yesterday Tuesday 3rd February,2026 thirty five (35) people have been attacked and killed across Funtua Zone; twenty four (24) in Faskari Local Government Area, eight (8) people in Mahuta Ward of Dandume Local Government Area, two (2) people in Maska Ward Funtua Local Government Area and one (1) person in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State in less than two (2) weeks;

“Concerned that the incessant banditry attacks on Communities will significantly impact food production and agricultural activities, as more than fifty (50) thousand farmlands are not cultivable presently thereby jeopardizing food security and livelihood of the people”

According to him, the Senate “recalls that the Governor of Katsina State led a delegation of elder statesmen from Funtua Zone to pay a Courtesy visit to Mr. President and the issue of insecurity was raised at the meeting. Mr. President pledged during the visit to have a Military Barracks sited in Malumfashi for the Zone.

“Observes that criminals continue to exploit porous forest corridors including the Machikan Dutse/Maikasuwa axis in Kaduna, Fawwa Hill in Kankara, and Zamfara Corridor, complicating rescue missions and inter-state security coordination;

“Worried that continued inaction risks mass displacement, collapse of rural livelihood, and long-term psychological trauma in vulnerable populations.”

Vanguard News

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