October 08, (THEWILL) — The member representing Birnin Kebbi, Kalgo, and Bunza Federal Constituency, Hon. Ibrahim Mohammed, has urged the Federal Government to strengthen rural policing and upgrade security infrastructure across Kebbi State and other parts of the North West to address the worsening insecurity in rural communities.
In a motion of urgent national importance, Mohammed expressed deep concern over incessant attacks by bandits, cattle rustlers, and kidnappers that have forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands and led to the closure of schools in affected areas.
“The level of insecurity in Kebbi’s rural areas has become alarming. Families are living in fear, and this situation poses a serious threat to food security and economic stability”, he said.
The lawmaker called on the Federal Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Police Force to establish and upgrade police outposts in identified flashpoints while ensuring that such facilities are adequately equipped with patrol vehicles, surveillance gadgets, and communication tools to enable effective response to distress calls.
Mohammed appealed to the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning to prioritise funding for rural security projects in the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
The lawmaker cited Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution, which places the protection and welfare of citizens as the primary duty of government.
“Our rural areas must not continue to suffer neglect in terms of security infrastructure. A secured countryside means a stable food system and stronger communities”, he emphasised.
He further urged state governments, traditional rulers, and community-based organisations to collaborate with security agencies in intelligence-gathering and peace-building initiatives aimed at curbing attacks.
The House, he proposed, should mandate its Committees on National Security and Intelligence, Police Affairs, and Army to assess existing security gaps in rural areas and recommend appropriate policy and budgetary interventions.
“The safety of our rural dwellers must remain a national priority”, Mohammed said. “Protecting them is essential to sustaining Nigeria’s economy and securing its future.”
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
