By Samuel Adeola
Amid rising security threats in the North East, the Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government to establish a military base in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State to counter fresh waves of Boko Haram attacks.
This resolution was adopted during Wednesday’s plenary following a motion by Senator Aminu Abbas representing Adamawa Central.
The motion, co-sponsored by lawmakers from the region, highlighted the growing insecurity and its devastating impact on local residents.
Senator Abbas painted a grim picture of the situation, saying entire communities have been displaced, economic activities halted, and public infrastructure destroyed.
“The unfortunate activities of the group have crippled farming and trading in the area and disrupted life across the zone,” he said.
Lawmakers also urged the National Emergency Management Agency to dispatch relief materials to affected communities without delay.
However, the call for a military base sparked debate.
Senator Seriake Dickson from Bayelsa West cautioned against the Senate appearing to encroach on presidential powers as Commander in Chief, urging instead that the federal government be advised to take necessary action.
In response, Senator Wasiu Eshilokun Sanni of Lagos Central defended the motion, citing Section 27 of the Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to make such recommendations.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio weighed in, lamenting Nigeria’s porous borders which, according to him, allow insurgents-many of whom are non-Nigerians-to regroup and launch repeated attacks on communities.
He called for heightened vigilance and improved security strategies in border regions to prevent further bloodshed.
