Gwoza bombing attacks: Senate urges security agencies to deploy modern technology

The Senate has urged the Federal Government to direct the security agencies  to deploy the use of modern technology in the fight against insurgency in the country.

It also urged the government and to make concerted efforts in securing the hot spots inhabited by the insurgents; the Lake Chad Region, Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains.

The upper chamber’s resolutions were sequel to a point of order moved by Sen. Ali Ndume (APC-Borno) during Tuesday’s plenary.

The motion was titled “Suicide Attacks in Gwoza, Borno: The urgency to Stem the Tide of This Ugly Menace”.

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The upper chamber also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to intensify efforts by providing relief materials to the victims of the attacks.

A minute silence was observed in honour of the innocent Nigerians who lost their precious lives from the unfortunate events.

Moving the motion, Ndume who is the Senate Chief Whip, noted the June 29 “brazen suicide bombing attack targeted at a wedding ceremony, funeral and hospital in a sporadic and coordinated attacks in the Gwoza, Borno.

“This resulted in the unfortunate deaths of about 32 innocent Nigerians so far, leaving scores of other victims wounded with varied degrees of injuries”.

He said that the attacks had raised significant concerns about the security situation in the region which had been a flash point of terrorist attacks over the years.

The lawmaker said this called for concerted and coordinated efforts of the security agencies to address the state of insecurity in Borno and other parts of the country experiencing similar situations.

“In today’s world, asymmetric warfare, whereby its strategy and tactics, differ significantly from the normal conventional war, the approach by our security agencies should be scientifically and technologically based.

“This is with the use of modern softwares and facilities to fight the menace.”

Various senators who supported the motion, condemned the heinous act calling for lasting solutions to end the menace.

Contributing, Sen. Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno) said that the resurgence of suicide bombings was very unfortunate.

He said that the panacea was deployment of technology of technology in fight against terrorism.

Sen. Ahmad Lawan (APC-Yobe) called on government to reprioritise security by purchasing military equipment like drones.

Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim (APC-Ondo) said that the military should stop using conventional method to fight unconventional war.

For Sen. Abdulaziz Yaradua (APC-Katsina) who aligned with calls for the use of technology and prioritising security, said “we must ensure we provide all the security needed to fight the war”.

Yaradua who is Chairman Senate Committee on Army said that the armed forces and the security agencies “go to back to the security procedures that have assisted in nipping in the bud, the suicide bombing that have been confined to the dustbin before”.

Sen. Ned Nwoko (PDP-Delta) said that the issue of violence in Nigeria was not a new one adding that “these disgruntled groups have reasons for doing what they are doing.

“We seem to forget that these groups have reasons for doing what they are doing. We must address the fundamental issues of why people are killing others.

“We must begin to dialogue with the security agencies and other stakeholders to find permanent solutions to all these problems”.

Similarly, Sen. Victor Umeh (LP-Anambra) said “We can deploy soldiers, we can deploy technology. We can do all things but if we cannot train the minds, these things will continue to happen.

“Suicide can only be perpetrated by a mind that is not developed. Instead of thinking on how to use technology and the soldiers to fight terrorists, we should deploy education.

“If we educate young people, they will be in a position to keep them out of some of these things that will embarrass us.”

He called for a reorientation of the youth by religious leaders while the governor of Borno should take education as a priority to tackle insurgency.

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In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio said that insecurity in any part of the nation was insecurity everywhere.

“We should employ a lot technology. What happened there could also be described as failure of intelligence. Because if we have so many suicide bombers gathering together, it means we have not penetrated their camps.

“Preventive security must also be emphasised,” Akpabio said.

NAN reports that several other people sustained injuries in the attack which was one of the deadliest reported in the state in recent months.

The degree of injuries ranged from abdominal ruptures to skull and limb fractures.

However, the number of casualties has now reached 32.

The latest figure was confirmed by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who visited injured victims of the incident on Monday.

(NAN)