The Senate has proposed that a ten billion naira intervention be made part of the 2019 Budget to assist persons displaced by banditry in Zamfara. This followed a motion by Senator Kabiru Marafa on Wednesday at the Upper Chamber.
Presenting the motion, Marafa lamented that the activities of armed bandits, cattle rustlers and kidnappers for ransom in villages and communities has remained unabated in the state. The lawmaker also said the killings had brought untold hardship on several families who had to accommodate displaced persons and families, over stretching accommodation, scarce food, clothing and other necessities.
He therefore urged the Federal Government to set up an Adhoc Committee to be known as Presidential Initiatives on Zamfara State (PIZAMS), with a 10 year life span to manage the ten billion naira intervention funds and subsequent allocation and donations.
Contributing, some lawmakers recommended the creation of State police and constitutional amendment to devolve more powers to the states as part of solutions to the problem. They said the three-month ban on the use of commercial motorcycle imposed by the state government would go a long way in addressing banditry in the state.
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said until Nigeria began to look at the possibility of establishing State Police, the country would continue to have security challenges. Saraki charged relevant authorities not to rest on their oars in nipping the crisis in the bud.
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