November 30, (THEWILL) — For the first time in its recent history, the National Assembly set aside political differences and spoke with one voice on the heightened insecurity in the country, following the abduction of school children in Kebbi and Niger States, the kidnapping of worshippers at a church in Kwara State and the ambush and killing of Brigadier-General Musa Uba and three of his men by ISWAP terrorists in Borno, amid heightened insecurity in the country.
After negotiations with the terrorists, the Federal Government announced the release of the 24 schoolgirls who were kidnapped from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Kebbi State and 38 worshippers abducted from the church in Kwara. About 253 students and 12 teachers abducted on November 21 during an overnight raid on St Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School are yet to be found. 50 pupils managed to escape and they have been reunited with their parents.
During the bipartisan debate at the National Assembly, was which was presided over by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, lawmakers urged the government to act fast before Nigeria slid into permanent chaos. At the Senate, members want to classify kidnapping as terrorism and propose the death penalty for all kidnappings. They demand a probe, sanctions against the Commander who withdrew troops before the Kebbi schoolgirls’ kidnap and urged the authorities to unveil how, why and where Gen Musa and his men were killed by terrorists in Borno State.
Among other key decisions the Senators took during plenary were for the authorities to investigate the circumstances that led to the withdrawal of troops shortly before 24 schoolgirls were abducted in Kebbi State last week. Kebbi State governor, Dr. Nasir Idris had told a visiting delegation of the Nigeria Labour Congress, led by its President Joe Ajaero that the troops guarding the girls school left 45 minutes before the terrorists struck, revealing a pattern of collusion between the troops and the terrorists. That same pattern repeated itself in the kidnap of students in the Niger school Where the terrorist struck at 3:00 am as against 3:45 am in the Kebbi school.
That is why the Senate specifically demanded an investigation into who is the commander, who gave the order to withdraw the troops, why he gave the order, and who authorised it? Although the lawmakers commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its interventions leading to the release of certain abducted victims in the last 48 hours, they demanded investigations into seeming acts of sabotage within the security circles that continued to frustrate genuine military responses to the security threats.
Contributing to the debate of a motion on the “Urgent need to address escalating insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger states: Call for immediate and comprehensive federal intervention”, moved by Deputy Senate Leader, Oyelola Ashiru, Kwara South, after Senators made contributions across party lines enabling the Red Chamber of the National Assembly to arrive at specific resolutions. In its resolutions, the Senate called on communities in Kwara, Kebbi, Niger and across Nigeria to remain united, vigilant and supportive of security efforts, while resisting internal collaborators who undermine national security.
The Senate also urged the Federal Ministry of Works to commence immediate reconstruction of all federal highways in the country, particularly in areas hard hit by bandits while it mandated the Nigerian Army, Police and Defence Intelligence Bureau to intensify intelligence-driven operations, including aerial surveillance, forest combing, cross-state collaboration, and community-based intelligence systems across Kwara, Kogi, Kebbi, Niger, and other hotspots. It called for the establishment of a Joint Task Force (JTF) covering the Kwara–Kogi corridor, with forward-operating bases in Eruku, Babanla, Oke-Ero and Isanlu and Wasamu in Kebbi.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs was directed to provide immediate relief support to traumatised families and affected communities, especially where schools had been shut down. Similarly, the Senate mandated the Joint Committees on Defence, Army, Navy, Airforce, Police Affairs, Intelligence and National Security, Interior, to investigate the sudden withdrawal of military personnel from the Kebbi school shortly before the bandits’ invasion, and report back within two weeks.
The committees were also directed to investigate the circumstances that led to the killing of Brigadier-General Musa Uba during a Counter-terrorism operation in Borno State. The Senate further resolved to undertake a diplomatic engagement with the United States and other allied nations Parliaments to strengthen cooperation on intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism training and technological support in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
As part of measures to strengthen its own oversight duties, the Senate dissolved its Committees on Air Force, National Security and Intelligence to be reconstituted within one week. It further directed chairmen of the committees on Defence, Army, Navy, Interior and Police Affairs to brief the Senate within one week in an executive session on their ongoing efforts to reduce insecurity across the country and to justify their continued existence.
The Senate also urged President Bola Tinubu to heed the call by Nigerians to further rejig his security architecture for optimal performance. An additional prayer to classify kidnapping as terrorism that must carry the death penalty was also passed by the Senate. The Senate Leader was asked to bring a bill within the shortest possible time to amend the country’s terrorism laws. Three senators, two from Kebbi State – Yahaya Abubakar Abdullahi (Kebbi-North); Garba Musa Maidoki (Kebbi-South) and Enyinnaya Abaribe, Abia South – drew the attention of the members to a glaring fact that must be taken seriously if the renewed efforts against insecurity were to yield any meaningful result.
Senator Maidoki said, “We know where the bandits are. We know what they want. Why are we delaying? If we are going to negotiate, let’s do so, if we are going to fight let us fight. I support Abaribe. Who ordered the troop withdrawal?” Abdullahi, echoing Maidoki’s views, noted, “We know who they are. Everybody knows who they are. Why are we pretending? Let’s go after these people and fight them off.” Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Senator Henry Seriake Dickson spoke along the same line.
Earlier at the House, Rep Alhassan Doguwa, Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency of Kano State, called on the Speaker Tajudden Abbas to shut down the assembly because it was pointless making laws for Nigerians who were dying helpless in the hands of unrestrained terrorists, particularly in the Northeast, Northcentral and Northwest geo-political zones in the country.
He said, “Mr. Speaker, we can even declare a legislative emergency. Close the House, shut it up. Who are you legislating for? What laws are you making when the country is running in blood? The country is running in blood and tears.” Arguing that though he is a member of the governing APC, he said the matter was of “a particular concern” for the security of life and property in Nigeria,
“Today, it is about the security of life and property of Nigerians,” he said, adding that. “Despite all the efforts of the security agencies and the federal government, who are doing their best, their best is not good enough. The responsibility of the government is the protection of lives and property. That responsibility is being reneged upon. People are being left in serious tension, and our communities are bleeding.” He warned that insecurity is not confined to one region, religion, or political affiliation.
“This is not religious. This is not political. Security in Nigeria transcends tribe, religion, and party. It is a calculated attempt to demoralise the Nigerian state,” he said, warning that without urgent intervention, even political processes could be destabilised ahead of the 2027 elections. Speaker Abbas who presided over the meeting, however, stated that the House would not be shut down. Saying that Doguwa merely expressed his opinion.
Anything being mentioned here is just a mere opinion and not a decision of the House. We are the hope of Nigeria. No problem is too big for this House to handle. We will not shut down. We will stay here together and find solutions,” he said. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, supported Abbas’ position and said that while the problem was severe, shutting the House was not a solution.
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