The Senate has called on President Bola Tinubu to assent to the Nigerian Forest Security Service (Establishment) Bill, 2025, recently passed by the National Assembly, to help address the rising insecurity across the country.

The resolution followed the adoption of motions sponsored by Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, and Senator Sunday Karimi, condemning the recent abduction of His Royal Highness, Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Obalohun of Okoloke in Kogi State, and the deadly attacks on Benue communities by suspected herdsmen.

The Senate expressed dismay over the monarch’s abduction, which occurred around midnight on Thursday, 15 May, when armed kidnappers stormed his palace and took him to an unknown location.

Lawmakers stressed the urgency of a nationwide security response and noted that the bill could be aligned with the President’s proposed Forest Guard initiative, which targets insecurity in rural and forested regions.

The Senate also urged the Federal Government to direct all security agencies to deploy resources for the immediate rescue of the monarch.

Senator Moro also decried the coordinated attacks on Akpete and Ojantele communities in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State on 1 and 7 May, which reportedly left more than a dozen residents dead.

In a related development, the Senate passed a bill through second reading to mandate Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritise locally manufactured vehicles and indigenous products in their procurement processes.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Patrick Ndubueze, received broad support during plenary.

Speaking in favour of the bill, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin highlighted the economic advantages of supporting local manufacturers.

“There’s been a long-standing clamour for the government to patronise locally made goods. It’s not just patriotic—it’s economically sound. Supporting indigenous companies will grow our economy, create jobs, and reduce our reliance on imports,” he said.

The proposed legislation aims to bolster the local manufacturing sector, particularly in the automobile industry, while also curbing capital flight and promoting job creation.