By Olugbenga Salami
The Senate on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to treat worsening insecurity and mass displacement in Kebbi State as a national security and humanitarian emergency.
The resolution followed a motion by Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi South) on deadly bandit attacks in the state, which he said had forced residents to flee and abandon livelihoods, amid intensified military operations in neighbouring states
He said influx of bandits from neighbouring states had triggered killings, displacement and heightened fear across Kebbi communities.
Aliero called on security agencies to intensify coordinated operations and urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide immediate relief to displaced persons.
Adopting the motion, the Senate urged the Federal Government to provide personnel, logistics and funding to prevent further attacks and protect vulnerable communities.
It called on the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke and Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu to strengthen joint operations with intelligence agencies.
The upper chamber urged deployment of more personnel and equipment, improved surveillance and intelligence to neutralise armed groups, stressing the need for comprehensive response to prevent further loss of lives and stop displacement from ancestral homes.
It directed NEMA to assess needs of displaced persons and provide food, water, shelter, clothing, bedding, medical supplies and sanitation.
It also urged federal and Kebbi State governments to set up joint security and humanitarian response mechanism to coordinate emergency interventions.
The Senate said restoring security must be matched with safe, voluntary and dignified return of displaced residents, calling for restoration of essential services, rehabilitation of damaged facilities and recovery of livelihoods.
