Nigeria’s defence, security chiefs, and the finance minister have been summoned by the House of Representatives over the rising insecurity across the country
The House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Service Chiefs, and the Inspector-General of Police to appear before lawmakers over the worsening security situation across the country.
The finance minister is expected to brief the House on funds released to security agencies for the fight against insecurity, while the security chiefs will provide updates on ongoing efforts to tackle banditry, kidnappings, and other violent crimes nationwide.
The resolution followed the adoption of two motions of urgent public importance sponsored by Rep. Abubakar Gumi (APC, Zamfara) and Rep. Ibe Okwara Osonwa (LP, Abia) during plenary on Tuesday.
Lawmakers also urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately implement a more aggressive, comprehensive, and sustained security strategy aimed at dismantling bandit hideouts, protecting vulnerable schools and places of worship, and securing the unconditional release of all kidnapped victims.
The House further called for a review of the Federal Government’s cashless policy, arguing that restrictions on cash transactions have complicated efforts by families seeking to pay ransom for abducted relatives, as many kidnappers reject bank transfers.
In addition, lawmakers urged the president to direct the recruitment of more forest guards across the federation to strengthen security operations in forested areas often used as hideouts by criminal gangs.
Presenting his motion, Rep. Gumi lamented that insecurity in Zamfara State and the wider North-West region had escalated into a humanitarian crisis fuelled by armed banditry, kidnappings, and the infiltration of transnational jihadist groups.
He alleged that between June 1 and June 6, 2026, armed bandits riding on about 250 motorcycles invaded communities in Gumi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency in Zamfara State and parts of Sokoto State, killing 93 people.
The lawmaker also recalled the abduction of seven students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, from their off-campus hostel on the night of June 2 into the early hours of June 3, adding that two senior lecturers of the institution had remained in captivity for more than two months despite ransom payments.
He further highlighted attacks in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where four people were reportedly killed and several travellers abducted, as well as the kidnapping and subsequent killing of a councillor and a local government director in Talata Mafara after their abductors allegedly refused ransom offers.
Gumi warned that bandit activities had spread across Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, and Jigawa states, citing the killing of 17 villagers in Dangulbi community, Sokoto State, on May 31, 2026, and the displacement of more than 15 communities in Tureta and Sabon Birni local government areas.
He also referenced the abduction of a former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar Batsari (retd), and his wife after their vehicle was attacked in Katsina State on May 30.
According to him, the ease with which armed groups move between communities and their hideouts continues to undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s security architecture, warning that failure to curb the violence could devastate the socio-economic fortunes of the North-West.
During debate on the motion, Rep. Stanley Olajide (APM, Oyo) advocated greater investment in satellite surveillance technology to monitor terrorist activities, while Rep. Olumide Osoba called on state governments to install more CCTV cameras.
Babajimi Benson renewed calls for the establishment of state police, urging the National Assembly to prioritise the legislation and dedicate a special legislative session to passing the bill.
Adopting the separate motion sponsored by Rep. Osonwa, the House also demanded immediate executive action to address the growing wave of insecurity, particularly attacks on schools, places of worship, and the increasing abduction of schoolchildren.
Lawmakers based their concerns on Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that the security and welfare of citizens remain the primary responsibility of government.
The House described the rising incidents of banditry, mass kidnappings, and terrorist attacks as a national emergency that has left millions of Nigerians living in fear and uncertainty.
It noted that repeated kidnappings of school children have disrupted education, increased the number of out-of-school children, and inflicted severe trauma on families and communities.
The lawmakers also expressed concern that schools and worship centres, traditionally regarded as safe spaces, have become frequent targets of criminal groups, with worshippers increasingly being abducted or killed during religious services.
They warned that insecurity had crippled economic activities, forced farming communities to abandon their lands, collapsed businesses, and pushed many families deeper into poverty through ransom payments.
The House observed that despite trillions of naira budgeted for defence and security over the years, the country’s security system appeared overwhelmed and unable to effectively counter increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.
It also raised concerns over what it described as the lack of a coordinated military response, warning that the situation could create the impression that parts of the country were slipping beyond government control.
Lawmakers further declared that if the Federal Government fails to halt the deteriorating security situation within a reasonable timeframe, the Service Chiefs should consider resigning honourably for failing to fulfil their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.
The House consequently directed its Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, and the Army to intensify oversight of the implementation of its resolutions and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.
It reaffirmed that safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians remains the foremost constitutional duty of government and called for urgent, decisive, and sustained measures to end the security crisis across the country.
