The Senate has mandated its Committee on National Security and Intelligence to investigate the failed rescue operation that resulted in the death of a Briton and an Italian in Sokoto.
The Committees on Defence and Army and Foreign Affairs were also mandated to join in the investigations and report back within one month.
This was sequel to a motion moved by Sen. Atiku Bagudu (PDP-Kebbi) on the failed rescue attempt of the abducted British and Italian nationals in a joint operation by Nigeria and British Special Forces.
Bagudu expressed concern about the incessant cases of kidnapping and hostage taking and the negative image the present situation was causing Nigeria.
“The Federal Government and indeed the government of Kebbi and Sokoto States, religious leaders and traditional rulers have called for the sanction of the law on perpetrators of the act,’’ he said.
In his contribution, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu (PDP- Enugu), noted that the incident was a dent on Nigeria’s sovereignty.
He urged the government to show more interest and concern for Nigerian citizens especially those living outside the country.
“Nigeria is a sovereign nation and our security is competent. I believe that if Nigeria’s security had handled the operation, the situation would have been different.
“After all, they had made a success of similar operations in the past.
“We need to wake up and demonstrate to Nigerians that the government loves every Nigerian citizen,” he added.
The Senate Leader, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba (PDP- Cross River) urged Nigerian security agencies to make their presence felt in the northern borders of the country.
“Our security forces must be proactive. Now we have more than enough justification to show interest in what is happening in the Sahel region to secure our country.”
Sen. Isa Galaudu (PDP- Kebbi) blamed the British authorities for carrying out the rescue operations without informing the Nigerian Police.
He said: “this operation was very hasty. It was not well-planned and the Nigeria Police was not informed. I’m sure the Police would have made a success of the operation.”
Also contributing, Sen. James Manager (PDP- Delta) called for strengthening of laws to curtail the danger posed by porous borders in the northern parts of the country.
“Something must be done about our porous borders to stem criminality by nationals of neighbouring countries who come into Nigeria and go out without restrictions.
“It’s high time the laws of this country are amended to put a stop to all these acts of terrorism,” he said.
The Senate President, Sen. David Mark, expressed worry that the Senate did not have knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the planning and execution of the abortive rescue operation.
He noted that the judiciary had a key role to play in tackling the problem of terrorism.
“We can’t say exactly what went wrong. There are so many questions begging for answer.
“The judiciary must be an integral part of the battle to wipe out terrorism on our soil. We may have to amend the law to remove delays by fixing a time frame for terrorism cases,” Mark stated
Mark also frowned at the claim that the operation was authorised by the British government.
“A Prime Minister of another country cannot authorise an operation in Nigeria. If that’s true, then something is wrong.”
Meanwhile, the Senate has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to direct the release of all withheld federal statutory funds for the 15 local government councils where state of emergency was declared on Dec.31, 2011.
The Senate President observed that the National Assembly was constrained by the law which empowered State Houses of Assembly to act on issues of local government funding.
He said unless the constitution was amended, the National Assembly could only appeal to the President to direct that the funds be released to the affected local government councils.?