By our correspondent
The Senate has dissolved its standing committees on Air Force, National Security and Intelligence, citing dissatisfaction with their oversight performance. The move, announced during plenary on Tuesday, takes immediate effect, with lawmakers directing that new committees be reconstituted within one week.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who raised concerns over the committees’ effectiveness, said the chamber could no longer overlook lapses in oversight amid worsening insecurity nationwide. His remarks prompted a series of decisive actions aimed at tightening legislative scrutiny of the security sector.
The Senate also ordered chairmen of the standing committees on Army, Navy, Defence, Interior and Police Affairs to brief the chamber within one week. The briefings, expected to take place behind closed doors, must outline current efforts to curb insecurity and justify why the committees should continue to exist.
In addition, the upper chamber launched an investigation into the withdrawal of security personnel from a school in Kebbi State shortly before it was attacked by bandits. Committees on Army, Defence, Police Affairs, Interior and Special Duties have been mandated to jointly conduct the probe and present their findings within two weeks.
Lawmakers are also probing the killing of Brigadier General Uba, directing that the report be submitted within the same timeframe.
Following an extensive security debate, the Senate resolved that its leadership should meet immediately with President Bola Tinubu to convey the resolutions and seek further executive collaboration. The chamber also agreed to initiate diplomatic engagements with the United States to help address the rising insecurity.
The flurry of resolutions underscores growing legislative frustration with the country’s security challenges and signals intensified oversight in the weeks ahead.
