By Ogechi Anita Agu
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Senate on Wednesday, November 26, issued a stark warning over the country’s worsening security crisis, calling for immediate and comprehensive federal action after a wave of deadly attacks on schools, worship centres and rural communities.
The resolution stemmed from a motion titled “Urgent Need to Address Escalating Insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger States.” Lawmakers cited the November 18 assault on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku, in Ekiti LGA of Kwara State, where two worshippers were killed and 38 abducted.
Senators expressed alarm that mass school abductions and bandit raids have triggered the closure of schools across several LGAs, including all 47 unity schools, disrupting the education of thousands of children. They also questioned reports that security personnel were withdrawn from a Kebbi school shortly before a kidnapping incident, demanding a “transparent and urgent investigation.”
The chamber further raised concerns over the increasing sophistication of criminal networks, internal collaborators and their use of vast, porous forest corridors stretching across Kwara–Kogi, Kebbi–Zamfara and Niger States.
Lawmakers commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for cancelling foreign trips to coordinate rescue efforts, which they said contributed to the safe release of 38 abductees in Kwara and 51 students in Niger.
KEY RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE SENATE
- Sustained, coordinated security operations until all abductees nationwide are rescued
- Intelligence-led operations with enhanced aerial surveillance across hotspots
- Creation of a Joint Task Force (JTF) for the Kwara–Kogi axis with forward bases
- Urgent rehabilitation of highways exploited by criminal gangs
- Humanitarian and trauma support for victims through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and NEMA
- Stronger community vigilance and action against internal collaborators
- Review of firearms laws to enhance community protection
- Proposal to classify kidnapping as terrorism and introduce the death penalty with no option of fine
During debate, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin stressed the need to “look inwards” and deploy advanced technology alongside improved security training. Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele warned that insecurity has reached a point where “something needs to be done,” calling for collective national action.
Minority Leader Abba Moro lamented that communities are being attacked “one after the other,” while former Senate President Ahmad Lawan declared bluntly: “Nigeria is at war. The president needs all our support.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio vowed decisive legislative backing, adding that Senate leadership would brief President Tinubu on the resolutions. The chamber observed a minute of silence in honour of victims of recent attacks.
