The House of Representatives has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately deploy a comprehensive and aggressive security strategy to flush out bandits and kidnappers from their hideouts and restore safety across Nigeria amid growing concerns over worsening insecurity.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Ibe Osonwa, who represents Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia State, during plenary on Tuesday.
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 concern over the increasing wave of kidnappings, bandit attacks, and violent assaults on vulnerable communities across the country.
Government Has Constitutional Duty to Protect Citizens
The lawmaker reminded the Federal Government of its constitutional obligation to safeguard lives and property, citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which states that the security and welfare of citizens shall remain the primary purpose of government.
He warned that persistent attacks on schools have disrupted education and worsened Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis.
According to Osonwa, thousands of pupils have been forced out of classrooms due to fears of abduction, while many families continue to endure the trauma of kidnappings and prolonged captivity of loved ones.
Schools and Places of Worship Increasingly Targeted
The House expressed concern over what lawmakers described as the systematic targeting of schools and places of worship by criminal groups.
Osonwa noted that institutions traditionally regarded as safe spaces have increasingly become soft targets for bandits and kidnappers, exposing students, teachers, worshippers and community members to serious risks.
He further argued that attacks on religious centres undermine citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
Economic Impact of Rising Insecurity
The lawmaker painted a bleak picture of the economic consequences of the country’s security challenges, stating that many businesses have shut down while farming communities have been abandoned due to persistent attacks.
He said numerous families have been pushed deeper into poverty as they struggle to raise ransom payments for abducted relatives.
Osonwa also questioned the effectiveness of the nation’s security architecture despite substantial budgetary allocations to defence and security agencies, arguing that the current response remains largely reactive and insufficient to curb criminal activities.
According to him, the inability to decisively tackle banditry and terrorism risks creating the perception that the government is gradually losing control of parts of the country.
House Demands Immediate Action
Following deliberations, the House condemned in strong terms the continued banditry, mass abductions and attacks on schools and churches across Nigeria.
The lawmakers resolved to transmit what they described as an urgent and solemn appeal to President Tinubu, reminding him of his constitutional responsibility as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to protect the lives and property of Nigerians.
The House specifically called for the immediate deployment of an aggressive, comprehensive and sustained security strategy aimed at:
- Dismantling bandit and terrorist strongholds
- Securing vulnerable schools nationwide
- Protecting places of worship
- Strengthening intelligence gathering and response operations
- Ensuring the unconditional release of citizens held captive by criminal groups
Reps Warn Service Chiefs Over Continued Insecurity
In one of its strongest resolutions, the House declared that if the administration fails to halt the worsening security situation and restore public confidence within a clearly defined timeframe, Nigeria’s service chiefs should consider honourably resigning from office.
Lawmakers argued that failure to effectively address insecurity would amount to a failure in delivering the primary constitutional responsibility of government.
The House also mandated its Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, and Army to intensify oversight of the implementation of the resolutions and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.
Nigeria’s Security Challenges Persist
Nigeria continues to face multiple security threats, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping for ransom, communal conflicts and violent attacks on rural communities, particularly across parts of the North-West, North-Central and North-East regions.
In recent years, mass abductions of students in states such as Kaduna, Niger and Zamfara have attracted national and international attention, prompting repeated calls for stronger security measures to protect educational institutions and vulnerable communities.
The latest resolution by the House of Representatives adds to growing pressure on the Federal Government and security agencies to deliver more decisive results in the fight against insecurity and restore public confidence across the country.
