A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Moses Oluwatoyin Fayinka, has expressed strong concern over the rising cases of banditry across the country, describing the situation as “an embarrassment and a national disgrace.”
Speaking during plenary on Thursday, Fayinka, who represents Mushin II Federal Constituency in Lagos State, said it was time for the Federal Government and all relevant security agencies to take decisive action to end the menace.
He called on the Minister of Defence, Bello Matawalle, to brief the House on his competence and readiness to tackle insecurity, stressing that Nigerians deserve words of hope and assurance from the ministry.
According to him, the minister must address public accusations alleging sympathy for bandit groups. He added that silence at a time like this was unacceptable.
Hon. Fayinka also proposed that lawmakers representing areas affected by fresh attacks should be summoned to explain what measures are being taken to curb insecurity in their constituencies. He said state governors should equally be questioned on what challenges hinder their ability to combat banditry.
The lawmaker further demanded answers from the Chief of Army Staff over reports suggesting that troops were withdrawn from Kebbi State shortly before a recent attack, a concern earlier raised by the state governor.
He urged the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Department of State Services to explain their inability to track down perpetrators, noting that bandits openly release videos and audio recordings of their activities.
Fayinka argued that if critics of security institutions can be traced and arrested within an hour, the same level of technology and urgency should be applied in apprehending criminal groups.
He also advised President Bola Tinubu to hold ministers accountable by warning that further incidents of banditry in any region could cost the ministers in charge their positions, ensuring they remain vigilant and proactive.
