Kebbi Insecurity: Senate Demands Military Offensive, Emergency Relief For Displaced Residents

The senate has urged the federal government to treat the worsening insecurity and mass displacement in Kebbi State as an urgent national security and humanitarian emergency following reports of deadly attacks by bandits fleeing intensified military operations in neighbouring states.

The upper chamber also called on the military and other security agencies to intensify coordinated operations against the armed groups, while urging the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide immediate relief to residents forced to flee their communities.

The resolutions followed a motion moved by Senator Adamu Aliero and seconded by Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Ondo South Senatorial District, which drew attention to the growing threat posed by banditry in Kebbi State and its devastating consequences for affected communities.

The lawmakers expressed concern that the movement of bandits into Kebbi from neighbouring states had resulted in killings, forced displacement and the disruption of livelihoods, raising fears of a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Adopting the motion, the Senate urged the federal government to provide the manpower, operational logistics and financial resources needed to prevent further attacks and protect vulnerable communities.

The chamber specifically called on the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Air Staff and the Inspector-General of Police, in collaboration with other security and intelligence agencies, to strengthen joint operations against the bandits.

It urged the security chiefs to deploy adequate personnel and equipment, improve surveillance and intelligence gathering, and intensify coordinated efforts to neutralise the armed groups responsible for the attacks.

The senate stressed the need for a comprehensive security response to prevent further loss of lives and stop more residents from being displaced from their ancestral homes.

On the humanitarian situation, the lawmakers called on NEMA to immediately assess the needs of displaced persons and provide essential relief materials, including food, potable water, temporary shelter, clothing, bedding, medical supplies and sanitation facilities.

The agency was also urged to ensure that affected households receive adequate assistance to protect their health and dignity while they remain displaced.

To improve coordination, the Senate called on the federal government and the Kebbi State Government to establish a joint security and humanitarian response mechanism to monitor developments and coordinate emergency interventions.

The proposed mechanism is expected to prevent duplication of relief efforts, ensure the effective distribution of assistance and guarantee that no displaced household is excluded from government support.

The lawmakers further emphasised that restoring security must go hand in hand with efforts to facilitate the return of displaced residents to their communities.

They urged both levels of government to ensure the safe, voluntary and dignified return of affected residents once their communities have been secured.

According to the resolutions, such efforts should include restoring essential services, rehabilitating damaged facilities and supporting the recovery of livelihoods disrupted by the attacks.

The senate also called for a thorough investigation into the killings associated with the attacks, particularly the reported murder of three employees of Hitech, alongside other victims.

It urged the relevant security and investigative agencies to identify those responsible and ensure that they are brought to justice.

The senate’s intervention comes amid growing concerns over the humanitarian consequences of insecurity in parts of the country, where attacks by armed groups have forced residents to abandon their homes, farms and businesses.

The lawmakers subsequently observed a minute’s silence in honour of those killed in the attacks and extended their condolences to the bereaved families and affected communities.