The House of Representatives has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to set up a security joint task force along the Kwara-Kogi border to prevent armed robbery attacks in that axis.
The resolution is coming in the wake of the June 4th armed robbery attack at Isanlu in Kogi State, where 8 police officers were reportedly killed.
The task force will comprise of Police, Army, Air force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The decision followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Leke Abejide from Kogi State on Tuesday during plenary.
Moving the motion, Leke who represents Yagba East/ Yagba West and Mopa Federal constituency where the attack happened said that most banks are shutting down within his constituency due to the rate of attacks.
He also condemned the lack of a rapid response team, which according to him allowed the robbers to operate for over 3hours, noting that most constituents are losing trust in the government.
“The armed robbers in the process of robbing the bank, killed the guard and blew up the fortified doors with explosives, and carted away a yet to be disclosed amount. The robbers managed to escape, and up till this moment, they have not been caught, they are still at large.”
He said that “More worrisome was the length of time which they operated unchallenged, which was for about 3hours”.
He expressed dismay that such a pattern of robbery and killing of security agents is now common in that axis.
”If such attacks continue, it will lead to the closure of financial institutions.”
The House also urged the IGP to increase the tempo of investigations to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book and also urged the President to ensure that a formidable security apparatus, including a rapid response squad, are stationed around Isanlu and environs.
The House committee on police was also mandated to investigate the robbery and report back to the House within 4weeks.
