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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives has charged the Federal Government to name and prosecute the financiers of terrorism and banditry in the country.
The House also advocated for a special court to try terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, as well as ensure that the prosecution of terrorism related cases were expeditious and transparent.
These are part of a 54-point resolution adopted by the Green chamber, as a fallout of its special sessions on the security crisis, last week.
The House had devoted its plenary for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday last week, to debate the spate of insecurity in the country. The security challenges in the country heightened recently with abductions of students in Kebbi and Niger states and worshipers in different parts of the country.
Lawmakers, who spoke at the special session, expressed outrage over the rising insecurity in the country and called on the government to take decisive steps against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes that are fuelling the security crisis in the country.
The parliament, in its resolution, which was considered at the Committee of the Whole and approved at yesterday’s plenary, also called for the strengthening and strict enforcement of penalties for arms trafficking and illegal possession of weapons, as well as effective tracking of all arms, weapons and security equipment in possession of security agencies.
“This should include a unified inventory system, digital tracking tools, periodic audit and strict accountability measures to prevent diversion, loss or misuse and to strengthen operational integrity and public safety,” it stated.
Furthermore, the House stated, “that, in recognition of the established link between cash-based economies and the financing of terrorism, banditry, ransom payments and other criminal/enterprises, the House recommends a phased strengthening of cashless transaction frameworks nationwide.
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“Accordingly, the House urges the Executive, the Central Bank and financial institutions to expand and upgrade secure e-banking infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas to ensure reliability, accessibility and public confidence.
“That enhanced digital payment systems, transaction monitoring mechanism and financial-crime analytics be integrated into national security operations, while ensuring that the transition remains inclusive, does not exclude vulnerable populations and is implemented in a manner that balances security imperatives with economic realities.”
Also, the parliament called for the establishment of new Army formations, Police divisions and Civil Defence units in volatile regions, high-risk areas and strategic locations.
It added, “Security coverage for schools, worship centres, markets and other soft targets should be strengthened through coordinated preventive measures and improved rapid-response capacity.
“This should include enhanced implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative, with attention to risk assessments, perimeter protection, CCTV, early-warning systems and community-based reporting to protect pupils, teachers and other vulnerable groups.
“That the national security architecture be modernised through reforms in training, doctrine, ICT, command, procurement and welfare standards. “All public CCTV systems should be reactivated, upgraded and where necessary, complemented with new installations and integrated into a national and sub-national surveillance grid.”
Also, the House called for the prohibition of ransom payments and informal amnesty negotiations by government entities and a clear legal framework should be enacted to outlaw such practices while regulating any authorised amnesty processes.
The Green chamber resolved to forward the resolution to the Senate for concurrence, so that it can become the resolution of the National Assembly.
