15th March, 2012
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 Senator 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, Senator 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.”
Senator 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.”