The House of Representatives has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently roll out a stronger and more coordinated national security response to curb rising cases of banditry, kidnappings and attacks on schools, places of worship and rural communities across the country.
The appeal followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance during plenary on Tuesday, June 9, sponsored by Ibe Osonwa, who represents Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia State.
While presenting the motion titled “A call for immediate executive action on the surge in banditry, the daily abduction of schoolchildren, and the perilous security situation in Nigerian schools and places of worship,” Osonwa expressed deep concern over the worsening insecurity affecting several regions of the country.
He reminded the Federal Government that the protection of citizens remains its core constitutional duty, referencing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”
Osonwa lamented that continuous attacks on educational institutions have further worsened Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis.
According to him, “the abduction of schoolchildren across several parts of the country has disrupted education and deepened Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis.”
He further warned that fear of attacks has forced thousands of children out of classrooms, while many families continue to endure the trauma of kidnappings and prolonged captivity.
“Thousands of children have been forced out of classrooms due to fear of attacks, while many families continue to grapple with the trauma of kidnappings and prolonged captivity of loved ones,” he said.
The lawmaker also highlighted the increasing vulnerability of places of worship, noting that churches and mosques are now frequently targeted by armed groups, undermining citizens’ right to freely practice their religion.
He added that insecurity is also taking a heavy toll on the economy, as rural communities are abandoned and businesses shut down due to fear of attacks.
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“Many businesses have shut down, farming communities have been deserted and families plunged into poverty as they struggle to raise ransom payments for abducted relatives,” he stated.
Osonwa questioned the effectiveness of Nigeria’s current security strategy despite significant budget allocations, arguing that the response to insecurity remains largely reactive and insufficient to deter criminal networks.
After deliberations, the House condemned in strong terms the continued wave of attacks and abductions across the country.
Lawmakers resolved to transmit what they described as “an urgent and solemn appeal” to President Tinubu, urging him in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief to take immediate action to restore security and public confidence.
They specifically demanded the deployment of “an aggressive, unrelenting and comprehensive security strategy” aimed at dismantling bandit strongholds, protecting vulnerable communities, and securing the release of abducted citizens.
In a firm resolution, the House warned that if the situation fails to improve, service chiefs should “honourably resign from office, having failed to fulfil the primary purpose of government as mandated by the Constitution.”
The committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, and Army were also directed to intensify oversight and report back within two weeks.
Nigeria has continued to battle widespread insecurity, particularly in the North-West, North-Central and North-East regions, where mass kidnappings and violent attacks on schools have raised persistent concerns about national safety.