June 09, (THEWILL) — The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, demanded greater accountability in the management of security funds and summoned the nation’s Service Chiefs alongside the Minister of Finance to appear before lawmakers and provide a detailed account of resources released to the military amid mounting concerns over worsening insecurity across the country despite huge budgetary allocations to the defence sector.
The resolution followed the adoption of motions addressing the rising wave of banditry, kidnappings and attacks on communities, schools and places of worship across Nigeria, particularly in the North-West region.
Lawmakers expressed deep concern that despite substantial resources committed to security operations over the years, armed bandits and kidnappers continue to operate with apparent ease, carrying out deadly attacks and mass abductions in several parts of the country.
Leading debate on the matter, Rep. Ibe Osonwa (LP, Abia) lamented the increasing incidents of kidnappings and attacks on educational institutions, warning that the development was worsening the country’s out-of-school children crisis while exposing vulnerable communities to fear, trauma and social disruption.
Osonwa argued that the nation’s current security response appears largely reactive and inadequate despite the enormous public funds appropriated annually for defence and security operations.
According to him, persistent attacks on schools and communities have continued to weaken public confidence in government efforts and threaten the safety and well-being of citizens.
Contributing through a motion on recurring attacks in Zamfara State and other North-West states, Rep. Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi (APC, Zamfara) painted a troubling picture of the security situation in the region, describing it as a humanitarian crisis driven by armed banditry, kidnappings and the increasing activities of violent criminal groups.
Gumi cited the recent abduction of seven students of Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, and the continued captivity of two senior lecturers of the institution despite reports that ransom had been paid for their release.
He also highlighted recurring deadly attacks across Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Jigawa states, noting that repeated incidents of violence had forced many residents to abandon their communities and flee in search of safety.
The lawmakers questioned why insecurity has continued to escalate despite repeated assurances by security agencies and consistent government funding for military and security operations.
Consequently, the House resolved to invite the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff and other relevant security officials, alongside the Minister of Finance, to brief lawmakers on the exact amount of money appropriated and released for security operations and explain the impact of such expenditure on the fight against insecurity.
Members noted that the planned appearance would provide Nigerians with an opportunity to understand how public resources allocated to security have been utilised and why the expected outcomes have remained largely unrealised.
The House also called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately adopt a more aggressive and comprehensive security strategy aimed at dismantling bandits’ strongholds, securing vulnerable communities and ensuring the release of citizens currently held captive by criminal groups.
Lawmakers further urged the Minister of Defence to deploy additional troops and operational equipment to Zamfara State and other affected North-West states in order to strengthen ongoing military operations and improve security outcomes.
Beyond military measures, the House advocated non-kinetic approaches to addressing insecurity and called on the Ministries of Agriculture, Education, Environment and Humanitarian Affairs to implement programmes capable of tackling socio-economic conditions believed to fuel criminal activities.
To ensure implementation of its resolutions, the House mandated the Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, Army, and other relevant committees to monitor compliance and report back within two weeks.
The lawmakers maintained that the persistence of insecurity despite massive spending on security raises serious questions about accountability, efficiency and effectiveness within the nation’s security architecture.
They stressed that Nigerians deserve transparency regarding how public funds allocated for security have been spent and why banditry, kidnappings and terrorist attacks continue to threaten lives, livelihoods and national stability.
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