Armed Bandits Invade Borno Border Villages

ABUJA, July 27, (THEWILL) - The House of Representatives is set to discuss the menace of armed bandits who have reportedly invaded Borno border towns causing security threat to the inhabitants.

The decision to brainstorm on the issue was taken following an alert from the minority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Mohammed Ali Ndume who brought the attacks under Matters of urgent national importance.

Ndume who raised the issue on the floor of the House said armed robbers from the neighbouring Niger and Chad Republic have literally annexed Nigerian villages in the border villages of Borno.

Raising the issue under Order 8 Rule 9 of the House Standing Rules, Ndume disclosed that on behalf of the other members of the House of Representatives from Borno, he was alerting the nation of the unfortunate development that has enveloped their constituents.

"Hon. Speaker, on behalf of my nine colleagues from Borno, I wish to bring to the notice of this House a serious security threat in Borno at boundary areas.

"The people there are under serious threat from armed robbers who come and harass and force them to gather money for them ranging from N1 million to N2 million and after about three to four days they come back again and collect the money."

The minority leader said he decided to bring the issue to the knowledge of the House because the Borno State government is overwhelmed by the menace of the bandits leaving the villagers to their own devices.

Speaker Dimeji Bankole who presided over the session however ruled that the matter be taken the next legislative day (Wednesday).

Meanwhile, the House has called on NEMA and federal ministry of works to commence repair works on the affected sections of the roads to stop the hardship being faced by the people.

This was sequel to a motion by Hon. Oluwole Oke (PDP-Osun), which was unanimously passed when it was put to vote.

The House in another motion by Hon. Dave Salako (PDP-Ogun) called for budgetary provision for the completion of the channelisation project to control the incessant devastating flood disaster in Abeokuta, Ogun State.