The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has urged President Tinubu to immediately stop the bloodshed ravaging northern Nigeria and asked the government to draw $5 billion from the nation’s external reserves for an extraordinary national security intervention
The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has urged President Bola Tinubu to take immediate and decisive measures to halt the escalating killings, kidnappings and displacement caused by terrorists and bandits across Northern Nigeria.
The caucus, in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Leader, Rep. Fredrick Agbedi, and spokesperson, Rep. Afam Victor Ogene, said the deteriorating security situation had become intolerable and required an urgent, coordinated and sustained military response.
The lawmakers cited recent attacks in Plateau, Niger, Sokoto, Kaduna and Katsina states, where dozens of residents have reportedly been killed or abducted by armed groups.
They said more than 20 people were killed in recent attacks in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, including at least 23 victims in one incident.
In Niger State, the caucus said armed men attacked communities in Borgu Local Government Area and abducted more than 60 worshippers during Friday prayers.
The lawmakers also cited the killing of at least 40 people in Ungushi community, Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State, including the Chief Imam, Imam Aliyu.
Similarly, at least 30 people were reportedly killed in an attack on Naridon village in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, while recurring bandit attacks and reprisals in Katsina State have continued to heighten fears among residents.
The caucus further expressed concern over the continued disappearance of schoolchildren in Borno State, months after they were abducted.
“This is no longer a situation that can be addressed principally through statements of condemnation after every attack,” the lawmakers said, stressing the need for an intelligence-led and sustained security operation.
They urged President Tinubu to replicate on a larger scale the strategy deployed in the rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
According to the lawmakers, affected areas should be placed under intensive security operations, with the military and other security agencies directed to dominate the territories and conduct sustained operations against terrorist and bandit hideouts, forests and criminal enclaves.
The caucus, however, clarified that its proposed lockdown should target the operational space of terrorists and bandits and not innocent citizens.
“We are calling on the President to lock down the affected theatres of operation, dominate the territory and sweep the forests, hideouts and criminal enclaves where terrorists and bandits operate,” the statement said.
“Such an operation must be intelligence-led, professionally executed and sustained until the criminal elements are neutralised and the abducted citizens rescued.”
The lawmakers also urged the President to visit Zamfara State and travel to Illela to engage directly with communities affected by insecurity.
They argued that Nigerians living in areas ravaged by violence needed to see the President physically present and demonstrating leadership in the face of the crisis.
$5bn Security Intervention
The Minority Caucus also called for extraordinary funding to support the government’s security campaign, proposing that the Federal Government draw $5 billion from the nation’s external reserves if necessary.
“If funding is an issue, the government should draw $5 billion from the nation’s external reserves for an extraordinary national security intervention,” the lawmakers said.
They argued that protecting the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians should remain the government’s foremost responsibility.
The lawmakers welcomed the recent increase in salaries for members of the Armed Forces, describing it as a significant step towards improving the welfare and morale of military personnel.
However, they urged President Tinubu to forward the necessary amendment to the 2026 Appropriation Act and a Supplementary Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly without delay.
They added that the National Assembly should be prepared to reconvene, if necessary, to ensure that the salary increase is implemented without bureaucratic delays.
Caucus Demands El-Rufai’s Release
The Minority Caucus also weighed in on the detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, describing the development as increasingly taking on the character of political persecution.
The lawmakers demanded his immediate release, saying their concern extended beyond the former governor to the credibility and consistency of the Federal Government’s anti-corruption campaign.
The caucus questioned what it described as the apparent contradictions in the government’s anti-corruption drive, particularly against the backdrop of individuals facing corruption allegations occupying prominent positions within the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
“It is difficult for the government to demand public confidence in its anti-corruption campaign when the political architecture through which the President seeks the mandate of Nigerians included individuals whose records and allegations have raised serious questions about the integrity of that campaign,” the lawmakers said.
They maintained that the Federal Government must demonstrate consistency and impartiality in its approach to fighting corruption.
The caucus concluded by calling on President Tinubu to move beyond condolences and statements of condemnation and use his constitutional authority and the country’s security resources to protect citizens.
“The bloodshed in Northern Nigeria must stop. The abducted must be rescued. The terrorists and bandits must be defeated,” the lawmakers said.
