By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
Senator Sunday Steve Karimi has called for collective responsibility and a united front in tackling insecurity across the country, stressing that recent attacks have affected Nigerians across religious lines.
The lawmaker, who made the remarks during an interview on TVC’s Your View, said it was unfair for certain groups to push divisive narratives aimed at painting the nation in a negative light internationally.
Karimi expressed concern that some individuals were deliberately escalating insecurity for political advantage, noting that they “travel around to spread insecurity just to prove a point.”
He urged security agencies to investigate such activities.
Speaking on efforts by the National Assembly, Karimi revealed that the Senate recently held a comprehensive security summit across the six geopolitical zones, which concludes today.
He disclosed that during a closed-door screening session, the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) told lawmakers that the military urgently needs modern hardware and equipment.
The CDS also blamed dysfunctional local government structures for the growing presence of ungoverned spaces where criminals operate freely.
Karimi announced that the Senate is proposing a National Emergency and Security Act, which will mandate the deduction of 5% of national revenue at source to fund security operations before allocation to the federal, state, and local governments.
Highlighting his personal contributions, the senator said he has invested heavily in security infrastructure, including the construction of a Forward Operational Base handed over to the military.
He said the equipment he donated—vehicles, gunboats, bulletproof vests, and helmets—were personally funded and not constituency projects.
Karimi noted that bad roads have also enabled criminals to thrive.
He emphasized the urgent need for full local government autonomy to reduce sabotage, create jobs, and improve community policing.
The senator revealed that the Senate is working with security agencies to deploy more personnel to vulnerable schools, and that the President has ordered the withdrawal of security operatives attached to VIPs to free manpower for national operations.
On the debate over state policing, he said although Nigeria has long resisted the idea, the situation may soon require its implementation.
He added that since some states have already begun experimenting with it, the nation must organize and formalize the structure to operate effectively as practiced globally.
He concluded with a call for unity, focus, and commitment to restoring peace nationwide.
