The House of Representatives has summoned the nation’s security chiefs and National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to appear before the parliament over the worsening security situation across the country.
The resolution was passed during plenary on Tuesday following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Sulaiman Gumi, who represents Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State.
Those invited include the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke.
Also summoned are the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi; the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele; and the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa.
The House directed the security chiefs and other officials to appear before lawmakers on Wednesday for a closed-door session aimed at reviewing the country’s deteriorating security situation and measures being taken to address it.
Lawmakers specifically requested the Minister of Finance to provide details on funds released for the procurement of military equipment and other security interventions designed to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Moving the motion, Hon. Gumi expressed concern over the escalating insecurity in Zamfara State and the wider North-West region, describing the situation as a growing humanitarian crisis fuelled by armed banditry, kidnappings and the infiltration of transnational terrorist groups.
According to him, between June 1 and June 6, armed bandits riding motorcycles launched coordinated attacks on several communities in Gummi and Bukkuyum local government areas, resulting in the deaths of at least 95 people.
He also highlighted the recent abduction of seven students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, who were kidnapped from their off-campus hostel between the night of June 2 and the early hours of June 3.
Gumi further disclosed that two senior lecturers of the institution had earlier been abducted and have remained in captivity for more than two months despite ransom payments reportedly made to secure their release.
The lawmaker warned that insecurity has spread beyond Zamfara to other states in the North-West, including Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Jigawa, threatening economic activities, farming communities and regional stability.
He stressed that the continued movement of armed groups across state boundaries poses a serious national security threat and could further devastate lives and livelihoods if urgent action is not taken.
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During deliberations, Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Abubakar Yelleman, renewed calls for the establishment of state police, arguing that decentralised policing would strengthen local security responses and improve intelligence gathering.
Similarly, Hon. Olumide Osoba, representing Abeokuta North/Obafemi Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency of Ogun State, argued that states should be empowered to manage their own police structures, provided appropriate legal and institutional safeguards are put in place.
Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson, suggested that aspects of the cashless policy should be reviewed, noting that the traceability of electronic financial transactions has complicated ransom negotiations in kidnapping cases.
Following extensive debate, lawmakers unanimously adopted the motion through a voice vote presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The House also urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately deploy forest guards across the country, citing the intervention in Oyo State following the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
Lawmakers argued that a nationwide forest guard system would strengthen surveillance in remote communities and help curb the activities of terrorists, bandits and kidnappers operating from forested areas.
The call comes amid growing public concern over a wave of attacks on schools, communities and travellers across several parts of the country, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions.