The House of Representatives has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately deploy what it described as an “aggressive, unrelenting and comprehensive” security strategy to dismantle bandit camps, rescue abducted Nigerians and restore confidence in the country’s security architecture amid growing concerns over worsening insecurity.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved on Tuesday by Hon. Ibe Osonwa, who represents Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia State.
Presenting the motion during plenary, Osonwa expressed alarm over the increasing incidents of banditry, kidnappings and attacks on schools, places of worship and vulnerable communities across the country.
He reminded the Federal Government of its constitutional obligation under Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that the security and welfare of citizens remain the primary purpose of government.
The lawmaker warned that repeated attacks on schools have worsened Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis, with thousands of pupils forced to stay away from classrooms due to fears of abduction and violence.
According to him, criminal groups have increasingly targeted institutions traditionally regarded as safe havens, including schools and worship centres, leaving communities traumatised and undermining citizens’ constitutional rights.
“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,” Osonwa said.
He also highlighted the economic consequences of insecurity, noting that farming activities have been disrupted in several communities, businesses have shut down and many families have been pushed deeper into poverty while trying to secure the release of abducted relatives.
The House said the persistent wave of kidnappings and attacks has raised questions about the effectiveness of Nigeria’s security response despite significant budgetary allocations to defence and security agencies.
Following debate on the motion, lawmakers condemned what they described as the continued menace of banditry, terrorism and mass abductions across the country.
The green chamber subsequently resolved to send an urgent appeal to President Tinubu, urging him, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to take decisive action to dismantle criminal strongholds, secure schools and places of worship and ensure the unconditional release of citizens held captive by criminal groups.
In one of its strongest resolutions on insecurity in recent months, the House warned that if the security situation fails to improve within a clearly defined period, service chiefs should honourably resign for failing to fulfil the constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.
Lawmakers also directed the Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, and Army to intensify oversight and report back within two weeks on implementation efforts.
The resolution comes amid renewed public concern over insecurity following recent mass abductions and attacks in several parts of the country, including incidents involving schoolchildren and teachers.
President Tinubu‘s administration has repeatedly assured Nigerians that security agencies are intensifying operations against terrorists, bandits and kidnappers, while pledging continued efforts to rescue victims in captivity.
Nigeria continues to battle multiple security challenges, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping for ransom and communal violence, particularly across parts of the North-West, North-Central and North-East, where attacks have displaced communities and disrupted economic activities.
