Lawmakers condemn rising insecurity in Zamfara, approves N10b intervention fund

Rising insecurity in Nigeria was the subject matter of serious and debate at plenary yesterday.

Consequently, Senate moved for special consideration in Zamfara State and to set aside N10 billion in the 2019 budget as intervention fund for tackling insecurity and the humanitarian crisis in the state.

On management of the fund, it urged the Federal Government to set up an ad-hoc committee to be known as Presidential Initiative on Zamfara with a 10-year lifespan for coordination of programmes to address humanitarian crisis in the state.

These were sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator Kabiru Marafa (APC Zamfara Central), who rose through orders 42 and 52 of Senate’s standing rules to move the motion.

He said insecurity in Zamfara State was worsening, which needs urgent national action from legislative intervention.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, commended Marafa for always bringing security situation in Zamfara to the front burner of discourse.

But Senate President, Bukola Saraki, stressed the need for state policing in fighting crimes at the local level, saying: “From the contributions we have had, I think it is key that we begin to look at the problem and profer long-term solutions.