Just days after gun men stormed Kankara in Katsina state and abducted over 300 students, the gun men had again attacked another secondary school in Kagara, Niger state, prompting the Senate to urge President Buhari to declare a state of emergency over the prevalent insecurity in the nation.
Worried by the incessant spate of killings, wanton destruction of properties and kidnappings in the country, the Senate resolved that the grim situation calls for a fast and speedy action in order to arrest it.
This resolution of the senate followed a motion sponsored by Mohammed Sani Musa, senator representing Niger east.
Sani Musa, who moved this motion on Wednesday said by their investigations reveal that the gun men stormed the school clad in military uniforms.
“The bandits were in military uniforms when they attacked the boarding school overpowered the security guards before whisking away the students, the numbers are yet to be confirmed,” the lawmaker said.
“Headcount is being conducted in the school as we speak to ascertain the number of students kidnapped.
“The constitution stipulates that the welfare of citizens is the primary responsibility of government, so governments at all levels owe it as a duty to provide adequate security.
The upper legislative chamber also asked Buhari to implement the recommendations of a report by its ad-hoc panel on security challenges in the country.
Following the attack of the gun men on Wednesday at the Government Science College, Kagara, the Niger state government ordered the immediate closure of all boarding schools in four local government areas.
The LGAs are Rafi, Munya, Shiroro, and Mariga.
In a swift response, President Buhari has deployed the recently-appointed service chiefs to the state, mandating them “to ensure immediate release and safe return of all the captives”.
He also asked the service chiefs to “coordinate the rescue operation and meet with state officials, community leaders, as well as parents and staff” of the school.