We can only talk about insecurity, not address it – Senate

The Senate, on Tuesday, said it has limited power to address insecurity ravaging the country.

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said in his contribution to a debate on a bill titled: “The Firearms Act CAP F28 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2021”, sponsored by Senator Uba Sani (Kaduna Central).

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Lawan said the Red Chamber could only talk about insecurity, debate it and insist that something is done to address the problem.

He said the power to implement policies and programmes aim at addressing security challenges rests on the executive.

Lawan said: “For us in the National Assembly, it has been a very difficult time, probably the most difficult, because our people face these daily security challenges.

“The question is always ‘what are you people doing?’

“And unfortunately, the legislature is limited in what it can do.

“It cannot implement but it can talk about it, discuss it, debate it and insist on it.

“I believe that this executive is ready to do something to improve the security situation and now that we are seeing a different and improved approach maybe the end to insecurity in the country is on sight.

“Recently, we have seen the National Security Adviser working with the Service Chiefs and others in a coordinated manner.

“We pray that this is sustained and that for us we will give them every possible support.”

Proliferation of illegal firearms 

Meanwhile, the Senate President called for stiffer punishment for anyone found with illegal firearms.

Lawan said that the security situation in the country would be improved if the proliferation of illegal firearms is adequately curtailed.

“The security situation would have been far better if we are able to control the proliferation of firearms in the country.

“I believe that there is no compromise for stiffer penalties for anyone caught with an illegal arm,” he said.

Firearms Bill

In his lead debate, the sponsor of the bill, Senator Uba Sani, said that the Bill seeks to impose a stiffer penalty for offences in the “Principal Act” as well as provide for the destruction of firearms imported illegally into the country or in the possession of individuals without valid licenses.

He said that the proposed amendment is meant to curtail the proliferation of illegal arms and bring the existing law in line with global best practices.

“The amendment will also effectively address some of the security challenges currently plaguing Nigeria,” he said.

He noted that in January 2017, the Nigeria Customs Service intercepted and seized 661 Pump Action rifles imported illegally into the country from China.

“Had such weapons escaped the eagle eyes of our customs officers and found their way into our communities that are in the grip of murderous elements, we would have had a clearly unmanageable insecurity situation,” he added.

To him, the objectives of the Bill include: “To proffer an effective, coordinated and sustained legislative strategy to address the underlying factors encouraging the circulation of arms and concurrently block the outlets through which illicit firearms are proliferated.

“To take proactive measures in stopping easy access to and re-circulation of illegal arms in our communities.”

The bill, after scaling second reading, was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative work.