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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that Nigeria is grappling with what he described as “organised and orchestrated insecurity” driven by terrorism, banditry and insurgency.
Akpabio spoke on Thursday at the 14th national caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the state house conference centre in Abuja.
His words: “We are very sad that people have decided to torment Nigeria with very serious, organised and orchestrated insecurity.
“So as we grow there will be envy, there will be jealousy, and with jealousy comes hatred, and with hatred comes challenges.
“So Mr. President, ours in this caucus today is to assure you that we are not only with you, we are also praying for you, praying for you to overcome the challenges of the day, and also praying for Nigeria.”
The Senate President said the caucus aligned with states mourning lives lost to attacks by terrorists, bandits and insurgents.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for securing the release of more than 100 children kidnapped recently.
“We thank the President for the release of over 100 children who were kidnapped very recently, and we pray to God to give him the ability and the enablement to release the remaining children to rejoin their families,” Akpabio said.
He consoled families of victims and members of the armed forces killed in the line of duty.
“We condole with members of the families who have lost their loved ones, including the armed forces, who lost their lives in the course of trying to protect not just those children, but protecting lives and properties in the country,” he said.
Akpabio said Nigeria’s stability is closely linked to developments in neighbouring countries.
He praised Tinubu for intervening in the Benin Republic to stabilise democracy and urged sustained regional engagement.
Akpabio disclosed that the Senate had taken what he described as “bold decisions” to deter criminality.
He said lawmakers were pushing to classify kidnapping as terrorism, making kidnappers liable to the death penalty once the bill receives presidential assent.
The Senate President also urged governors to enforce laws on capital offences, warning that reluctance to sign execution warrants could embolden criminals.
