UPDATED: Reps invite Buhari over Zabarmari killings, other issues

The House of Representatives has invited President Muhammadu Buhari to appear and explain the failure of the Nigerian military and other security agencies in the fight against insurgency and other security challenges.

This was the resolution reached after a heated debate among members on whether or not to invite the president over the recent killing of 43 farmers at Zabarmari Village of Jere local government area of Borno State.

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The House was earlier forced to go into an executive session to sort the areas of contention between the members.

The debate follows a motion on matters of urgent public importance earlier moved by Rep. Satomi Ahmed.

However, after the presentation of prayers contained in the motion and contributions from other members and calls for amendments, another member from Borno, Rep. Ahmed Jaha raised an objection.

Jaha moved a point of order saying that, they have agreed that, the prayers are to remain as they are.

He however noted that, while presenting the motion, the prayer to invite the president to explain to Nigerians the circumstances leading to the failure of security agencies was expunged.

He recalled that, the President has confirmed that, he has provided all the support to the security agencies.

Speaking, the House Leader, Alhassan Ado Doguwa said, he believe, no member will oppose the motion presented by Satomi.

According to him, members have heard him loud and clear on the motion and are all concerned about the happenings in Borno State and other parts of the country.

He added that the issue of security is the business of everybody adding that, “security issues are not matters that warrant the invitation of the President to the chamber and be discussed in the open.

However, members of the House shouted “No, no” as the leader spoke with most insisting that, the President must appear before the House.

The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila however said, the prayer by Rep. Satomi for the President to declare a state of emergency in the security sector will provide the president with an opportunity to take extraordinary measures.

According to him, that prayer alone will take care of many issues concerning the security measures to be taken in order to improve the situation.

However, after the executive session, the House agreed to invite the President to appear and speak to the House on the matter.

Recall that Borno state has witnessed renewed deadly attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents recently.

Last Saturday, corpses of 43 farmers were retrieved with slit throats after an attack by the insurgents in Jere Local Government Area of the State.

It was gathered that the victims, who were rice farmers, were attacked on their farms in Koshebe area of Zabarmari village, and murdered in cold blood.