The House of Representatives rose from a three-hour meeting on Tuesday, on the security situation in Nigeria with series of declarations which were unanimously adopted.
The Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who had earlier met President Buhari on Monday, read out the resolutions.
The House asked the President to declare a state of emergency on the security situation.
It also resolved to summon the Service Chiefs, the National Security Adviser (NSA) Gen. Babagana Monguno, heads of Paramilitary Agencies and the Managing Director of Nigeria Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) for briefing on the situation in the country.
Other resolutions read in parts: “The House condemn attacks on security agents and formations across the country and sympathise with the families of those who lost their lives.
“The House sympathises with all the families and Communities that have been victims of banditry, terrorism and criminal elements in the country, particularly in Ukpo, Ifitedunu, Dunukofia, Geidam LGA, Abagana, IDP Camp in Makurdi Urikpam, Jato-Aka, Police Divisions in the South East, Ehime Mbano, Uzo-Uwani in Enugu State, Uzuakoli, Abia State, Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State, and parts of Imo and Nationwide.
“The House urged the judiciary to accelerate prosecution of those awaiting trial due to banditry, terrorism and kidnapping activities, while the government should provide emergency relief to all communities that has been affected in recent attacks across the country.”
The House resolved that; “The President should immediately declare emergency on security sector,” while calling on the Judiciary to accelerate trial of suspected terrorists, bandits and others criminals.
“The President should as a matter of urgency ensure financial autonomy for local governments,” the lawmakers said, while calling on the Nigerian Government to ensure protection of national infrastructure across the country.
While asking all security committees to immediately audit arms and ammunition of security agencies within four weeks, the House stated that “the number of personnel in police and military fall far short to effectively secure the country.”
They called for an immediate recruitment of operatives.