Wase accuses police of releasing suspects, jeopardizing fight against banditry

Idris Wase, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has accused the police of sabotaging the anti-bandit campaign by releasing bandits who had been arrested.

Mr Wase, who moved a motion on the floor of the House on Tuesday about the killings in his constituency, claimed that police colluded with suspected bandits.

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The deputy speaker, who represents Plateau State’s Wase Federal Constituency, cited a case of abduction involving his driver’s wife, claiming that the suspect was apprehended but later released by the police.

He also mentioned a case in Kaduna where bandits were apprehended but later released by the police. “I informed the Kaduna State governor, Nasir Elrufai, of the police release,” he said.

Nasir Ali, an APC member from Kano, questioned how the government can send thousands of security personnel to states for elections but fail to protect lives and property.

Emeka Azubogu of Anambra State, who also spoke on the motion, said that insecurity in Nigeria is affecting the economy. “Borno State is not contributing to the economy because of insecurity,” he said.

Ndudi Elumelu, the minority leader, slammed the ruling APC for the security situation, saying the party had failed.

As a result, the House decided that the Minister of Defense should launch a joint security operation in Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, and Nasarawa states to flush out bandits.

The Department of State Services and the Directorate of Military Intelligence were also tasked with gathering intelligence on bandit influx, camping, and operations in the Wase Federal Constituency and surrounding towns.

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In addition, the Speaker established an ad hoc committee to investigate the matter and submit a report within two weeks.