The House of Representatives adopted four motions of national importance, raising serious concerns over the alarming rate of insecurity and killings across the country, including the resurgence of boko haram
The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, adopted four motions of national importance, raising serious concerns over the alarming rate of insecurity and killings across the country. Lawmakers called on the federal government to bolster security operations and urgently take decisive action to protect both military personnel and civilians amid renewed terrorist attacks.
Amid intense debates, several members alleged foreign involvement in the recent wave of attacks in the north-east, believed to be carried out by boko haram insurgents. They warned of a resurgence of the group, now appearing more heavily armed and technologically advanced.
Attacks on military bases, security failures
One of the motions, sponsored by Rep. Satomi Ahmed (APC, Borno), Chairman, House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, addressed the recent fire incident at the Giwa Barracks and the increasing attacks on military formations in Borno and Yobe States.
Presenting the motion, Rep. Ahmed expressed deep concern over the renewed assaults, stating, “Boko Haram have escalated their attacks on several military formations within these two months,” adding that numerous soldiers and civilians have been killed. “The recent surge in boko haram attacks on military formations is deeply alarming,” he warned, noting that “the bravery and sacrifice of our military personnel are being tested by these relentless assaults.”
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The House resolved to conduct a comprehensive review of security measures at military installations and urged the implementation of resolutions passed as far back as November 2020.
Sophistication and foreign mercenaries
Rep. Zainab Gimba (APC, Borno), raised concerns about alleged foreign mercenaries involved in the attacks and the use of armed drones “In my constituency, 20 soldiers were killed in a boko haram ambush on a multinational force base. The commander told me that among the insurgents were several white men—there is foreign influence here.”
She also pointed to the security vacuum likely to result from the withdrawal of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali from the regional security alliance, warning of a looming border crisis.
She condemned the positioning of military formations within cities, citing the Giwa Barracks fire in Maiduguri. “Before the public knew what was happening, panic had already spread. These formations should be outside city centres. Our lives should not be politicised.”
Backing Gimba’s claim, Rep. Lawan Shettima Ali (APC, Yobe) emphasized the use of high-calibre foreign weapons in the insurgency and stressed the urgency of action.
Rep. Yusuf Gagdi (APC Plateau), Chairman of the House Committee on Navy, lamented that despite huge government spending on military hardware, boko haram continues to overrun military facilities. “Armoured tanks and other military weapons worth trillions have been taken by enemies of the state,” he said, calling on President Bola Tinubu to hold security chiefs accountable. “The arms purchased with taxpayers’ money have now been donated to the enemies of the state,” he added.
Rep. Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno) also raised alarm, saying, “They are more armed than the Nigerian Army and use more sophisticated weapons. Boko haram is gradually coming back in a more dangerous way than before. We must act now before we return to the days when 22 local government areas were under their control.
“The Nigerian military doesn’t have the personnel and weapons to face these people. Between 2015 to 2019, the government spent N19.7 trillion on security. Yet boko haram is resurging worse than ever. We should do a proper oversight of the budget we pass for security and not be complacent.”
Rep. Shettima Ali (APC, Yobe) called for legislative reform to allow citizens to defend themselves. “Let this House create a law that permits our people to protect themselves. The security forces are not enough and don’t know the terrain.”
He said, “Our people are being killed day by day. I want this House to come up with another idea to deal with our people. We have to think about how to create a law that will allow our people to protect themselves, we just need this thing.”
Rep. Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos) described the situation as unfortunate, noting that the, “the Presidency has spent so much on security without commensurate results. On many occasions, the President has put on the front burner the issue of state police, local government autonomy, among others. Unfortunately, this has not been achieved.”
Minority Whip Rep. Ali Isa (PDP, Gombe) called for urgent presidential action, stating, “Let the government do the right thing and ensure that the lives of Nigerians are protected.”
Killings in Edo, Benue, Kano
In a related motion, Reps. Sani Madaki and Kabiru Rurum raised alarm over the brutal killings of innocent hunters from Kano State by members of a vigilante group in Uromi, Esan North-East LGA of Edo State.
The House called on the Inspector General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to launch a full-scale investigation and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. It also tasked the National Human Rights Commission to conduct an independent inquiry and recommend appropriate compensation for the victims’ families.
Rep. Blessing Onuh (APC, Benue) also moved a motion on the worsening security situation in Otukpo LGA, which was adopted. The House condemned the killings and destruction in strong terms and called for the deployment of security personnel to affected areas such as Asa 2, Akpa/Otobi, Okpomaju, Adoka/Ugboju, and Amichi. Onuh also urged the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and NEMA to provide relief materials and demanded a high-powered delegation from the House be sent to commiserate with grieving residents.
Banditry in Kano: Call for Tactical Response
Rep. Yusuf Badau (APC, Kano) called for urgent intervention following a series of attacks by armed bandits in Shanono/Bagwai federal constituency. He recounted how on April 17, 2025, gunmen attacked Faruruwa market, killing two, injuring six, and abducting one person. He noted similar attacks occurred on April 2 and April 26 but were repelled by community efforts.
The House adopted the motion, directing the IGP, Chief of Defence Staff, and other security heads to deploy a tactical task force to the area. The Committees on Police and Defence were mandated to investigate and report back within four weeks. While Committee on Compliance is to ensure compliance.
