As insecurity persists in parts of the country, the Senate has called on President Bola Tinubu to assent to the Nigerian Forest Security Service(Establishment) Bill 2025 after its passage by the National Assembly.
The Senate adopted the resolution following the submission of two bills sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro and Sen. Sunday Karimi, condemning the abduction of Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, Obalohun of Okoloke, and deadly herdsmen attacks in Benue State.
In its first motion, the Senate condemned the midnight abduction of a Kogi monarch by armed kidnappers who invaded his palace on Thursday, May 15, firing shots and taking him to an undisclosed location.
While calling for immediate security intervention in affected areas, lawmakers noted the bill could be revisited to incorporate the President’s proposed Forest Guard initiative aimed at curbing insecurity in rural and forested regions.
The Senate further urged the Federal Government to instruct all security agencies to utilise their resources for the monarch’s prompt rescue.
Moro alerted the Senate to coordinated attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen on Akpete and Ojantele communities in Benue’s Apa Local Government Area on May 1 and 7, resulting in over a dozen deaths.
Persecondnews had reported that Nigeria has faced increased insecurity in recent times, resulting in significant loss of life.
On April 17 and April 18, suspected armed herders had launched a series of attacks on communities within the Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas of Benue State, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 72 people.
In Zamfara, six operatives of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards, popularly known as Askarawa, and four local vigilantes were killed in an ambush by bandits in Anka Local Government Area on March 22.
Also, at least 20 gold miners were gruesomely killed and several others injured in a broad daylight attack by armed bandits on the Gobirawa Chali community in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State on April 24.
The Senate also passed a bill seeking to make it mandatory for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to prioritise local automobile manufacturers and indigenous companies in their procurement processes through second reading.
The passage followed a submission by Sen. Patrick Ndubueze during plenary.
Supporting the bill, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin cited its economic advantages, noting ongoing public calls for increased backing of Made-in-Nigeria products.
He said: “There has been a clamour for the government to patronise locally made goods. This is not just patriotic, it is a sound economic decision. Supporting indigenous companies will help grow our economy, create jobs, and reduce our dependence on imports.”
The bill, which garnered broad support, aims to bolster Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, foster job growth, and stem capital flight through increased government patronage of domestically produced goods, particularly automobiles.
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