By Our Reporter

Amid rising insecurity across Nigeria’s North Central region, Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu has renewed his call for the establishment of a naval base in Umaisha in Toto Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, describing it as a strategic step toward curbing criminal activities in the region.
Contributing on the floor of the Senate yesterday, Wadada expressed deep concern over the persistent security challenges affecting Kwara, Benue, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and Kogi states. He emphasized that while security operatives are making efforts to address the crisis, more proactive and strategic measures are required to stem the tide of violence and criminality.
According to the lawmaker, the activities of armed groups operating within forested areas and along waterways demonstrate a high level of organization and intelligence.
“As much as we want our security agencies to do more, we must understand that these criminals are not nonentities,” he said. “They are proactive and possess both intellectual capacity and intelligence-gathering ability. That makes the fight more complex.”

Wadada’s proposal centers on Umaisha, a riverine community he believes holds strategic importance in the security architecture of the region. He argued that while security operations often focus on forests, criminal elements exploit waterways as transit routes.
“They are using the waterways to transport themselves to wherever they plan to operate,” he noted.
The senator recalled that during the Senate’s screening of the newly appointed chief of Naval Staff, he raised the matter and was informed that a naval base already exists in Makurdi, Benue State. However, he maintained that Makurdi is too far from the flashpoints he is concerned about.
“Makurdi is too far from Umaisha. Umaisha is very close to Lokoja,” he said, explaining that suspects can move from Makurdi through river routes toward Lokoja with little resistance. From Lokoja, he warned, they can easily disperse by land to carry out attacks.

Reiterating his position, Wadada called on his colleagues in the Senate to support the establishment of the proposed naval base, stressing that improved riverine security could significantly disrupt criminal logistics and reduce attacks.
“I am reiterating this position so that I get the backing of the Senate,” he appealed, expressing hope that such a move would help bring an end to the daily loss of lives in the region.
The senator also framed the insecurity as a moral and spiritual crisis. He lamented the continuous bloodshed, describing it as a troubling sign for the nation.
“You cannot continuously be shedding human blood and expect good from God,” he said, urging collective reflection and action.
Wadada’s call adds to ongoing national concerns about strengthening local security structures, including proposals for forest guards and enhanced inter-agency collaboration. As insecurity continues to challenge communities across the North Central corridor, his proposal for a naval presence in Umaisha is likely to spark further debate on the most effective ways to secure Nigeria’s inland waterways and vulnerable communities.
For residents of the affected states, however, the priority remains clear: an urgent, coordinated response capable of restoring safety, stability and confidence in the nation’s security framework.