Insecurity: 8th National Assembly Saved Nigeria From Being Expelled – Lawan Admits

President of the Nigerian Senate, Ahmed Lawan has admitted that the 8th National Assembly led by Senator Bukola Saraki, salvaged Nigeria from being expelled from the global body of the Egmont Group years ago.

Lawan revealed this while speaking on the nation’s security challenges and how the red chamber is proactive in curbing any further spread of terrorism in the country.

The Senate President said the issue of security in the country has improved in the past month following an unwavering hunt down of the perpetrators of the criminal acts.

Naija News understands that Lawan made the claim while speaking at an event themed, ‘National Policy Dialogue on Corruption and Insecurity in Nigeria,’ organized by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, in Abuja on Friday.

According to him, legislators have continually supported the effort of the government to tackle insecurity in the country, adding that in the past three years, the National Assembly has ensured that appropriation for defence and security is improved upon, year on year.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari recently gave a marching order to the Armed Forces to extinguish bandits, kidnappers and other criminal agents that are against the state and her citizens, by December 2022.

Speaking on the development, Lawan said the incumbent government is committed to achieving this set target.

He said: “The past few weeks have seen security agencies flushing out terrorists from their hideouts in Kaduna Birnin-gwari axis, Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto. Similar results were recorded in Niger, where, like in Kaduna, the Nigerian Airforce neutralised many terrorists.”

Lawan noted that the National Assembly while looking into the possibility of unmasking the perpetrators of insecurity in the country, realised the need for an anti-corruption law to stop illicit financial flows suspected to be funding routes for insecurity in Nigeria.

8th National Assembly Passed Bill Which Saved The Country

Lawan commended the 8th Assembly for passing the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit Bill which according to him is one of the major anti-corruption laws that saved the country from being expelled from the global body of the Egmont Group.

He said, “The 8th Assembly passed the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit Bill, which is one of the major anti-corruption laws that saved the country from being expelled from the global body of the Egmont Group.

“In the same vein, the 9th Assembly, working closely with security and law enforcement agencies to further strengthen their capacity to withstand unscrupulous elements involved in criminal and terrorist activities against the state, passed three bills aimed at combating money laundering, terrorist financing and the proceeds of crime.

“These three bills are in tandem with this administration’s commitment to fighting corruption and curb insurgency in the country.”

Lawan stated in his address that the issue of insecurity is a worldwide phenomenon and that Nigeria is no exception in that regard.

According to the lawmaker, the country has been facing the challenge of insecurity, especially insurgency since 2009.

Lawan stressed that despite the government’s efforts to curtail the menace, it has developed other manifestations that have slowed down the sustained assault of the government on the problem.

He, however, said the issue of insecurity is a concern to everyone and not just those in the government.