Senate’s Deputy Majority Leader, Oyelola Ashiru says the National Assembly will soon convene a national conference on insecurity in Nigeria.

Senator Ashiru, who is a member on both Committees on Defence and Intelligence told reporters in his country home of Offa, Kwara State ahead of security a meeting with stakeholders from Kwara South Senatorial District.

The deputy majority leader represents Kwara South in the upper legislative chamber.

He added that the current National Assembly had tackled insecurity issues in the country head-on.

He said: “I can assert with all sincerity that this Senate has tackled insecurity seriously. There is going to be a national conference on insecurity. I can tell you that a lot had been done underground by the NASS on this issue. The peculiar one we are talking about now is that of Kwara South. Every insecurity has its own peculiarity.”

He advocated the establishment and deployment of more robust forward operating bases (FoBs) in Kwara South to stem the tide of rising banditry and kidnappings in the district.

“In seeking lasting peace, we must be deliberate in strengthening both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches. In addition, the government must enhance kinetic operations in the affected areas by improving equipment, mobility, and manpower for our security agencies.

“We must also explore community-driven solutions. The revival and proper training of forest guards will provide the much-needed surveillance of our bushes and farmlands, which have become hideouts for criminal elements.

“Equally, we must strengthen communal engagement, ensuring that traditional rulers, youth groups, and local vigilantes work hand in hand with security operatives to provide intelligence and maintain vigilance.

“Another critical area is the proper documentation of land ownership and tenancy. Many disputes and vulnerabilities arise from unclear or undocumented land rights. A statutory system of documentation will not only reduce land-related conflicts but also help authorities track illegal settlers who sometimes exploit the lack of records to perpetrate crime.

“Furthermore, as we talk about security, we must also talk about prosperity. Our indigenous people must be encouraged and supported.

“Let us be clear, security is not the work of government alone. It is a shared responsibility. When our communities unite with security operatives – providing intelligence, showing vigilance, and rejecting division – no criminal force can overpower us.”

Another stakeholder from Kwara South Prince Sunday Fagbemi aligned with the Senator in the area of establishment of FoBs as well as equipping security operatives with sophisticated weapons.

Prince Fagbemi, who doubles as the state Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) added that “Kwara North and South should be genuinely concerned about the spate of banditry and kidnappings in their districts. (The Nation)