The Senate on Tuesday, November 18, reacted with outrage to the deadly attack on Government Girls School in Maga, Kebbi State, where gunmen killed the vice principal and abducted 25 students.
The violence, which has deepened fears about school safety across northern Nigeria, prompted urgent calls for immediate action.
Kebbi Senator Yahaya Abdullahi raised a motion during plenary, highlighting the growing threat to educational institutions, and sparking a vigorous debate among lawmakers.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio presided over the session and later ordered a closed-door meeting to address the crisis.
Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan warned of the consequences of inaction.
“These children are our future. We have to do everything possible to get them back. Otherwise, the future of Nigeria will be compromised. But time is of the essence to our armed forces,” he said.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North) stressed that state governments must share responsibility for ensuring security.
“Security should not only be the job of the Federal Government. I had gone out of my way to help Anambra and other states in terms of security,” he added.
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Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) urged a technology-driven approach to track the abducted students.
“This matter is what many people don’t want to discuss anymore. But it is a matter of national importance. They were taken away and are still being moved around. So we urge security agencies to deploy their technology to find them,” he said.
Senator Solomon Lalong (Plateau South) questioned the effectiveness of the World Bank–supported Safe School programme, warning that incidents like this could repeat the Chibok tragedy.
“What has the girl child done to Nigeria? This should be treated as a matter of national security before it turns into another Chibok experience,” he said.
Senate President Akpabio called for a coordinated national response.
“The Senate condemns this dastardly act, especially violence against our children.
We urge the FG and security agencies to apprehend these criminals and rescue our children without delay,” he said, adding that the inputs of senators would guide discussions at the forthcoming national security summit.
Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the military, have launched an intensive search-and-rescue operation, as the country continues to grapple with a decade-long wave of attacks on schools in the North.