Senate backs deployment of soldiers in Southsouth

Towards checking insecurity in the southern part of the country, the Senate may support the deployment of soldiers in the area.

The Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, addressed State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa yesterday.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the weekend canvassed for deployment of soldiers.

He said: “Absolutely. On a good day it is not something we would encourage because as much as possible you will want to keep the military in the barracks, but because of the exigencies of the moment, we have no choice but to encourage that.

“Nigerians need to be assured of their safety at all times, which is the essence of governance as guaranteed by the constitution. Therefore, as canvassed and indeed ordered by the Vice President, that we have the Army provide security at check points, if that will go a long way in preventing kidnapping and banditry, why not?

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“We are not happy like most Nigerians about what is going on, most especially in Zamfara. We believe the head of the security architecture in Zamfara, being the Commissioner of Police, can do more than they have already done. We are encouraging them to do that because Mr. President has provided everything they need; everything in terms of funding and acquisition of weaponry.

“It is now left for them to justify the positions they hold in Zamfara, and other states of course.”