The House of Representatives has summoned the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, and the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to explain the worsening insecurity across the country, particularly the growing cases of kidnapping and bandit attacks in the North-West.
The lawmakers are demanding details of funds released to the Ministry of Defence over the last six months and want explanations on why the increased spending has not translated into noticeable improvements in national security.
The resolution was passed during Tuesday’s plenary after a motion of urgent public importance was presented by the lawmaker representing Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, Sulaiman Gumi.
Raising the motion, Gumi painted a grim picture of the security situation in Zamfara and neighbouring states, noting that repeated attacks by armed groups have left many communities devastated and worsened the humanitarian crisis in the region.
According to him, between June 1 and June 6, armed bandits riding on about 250 motorcycles invaded communities in Gummi and Bukkuyum areas of Zamfara as well as parts of Sokoto State, killing no fewer than 93 people.
He also revealed that seven students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, were abducted from their off-campus hostel on June 2, while two senior lecturers of the institution remain victims of kidnapping despite ransom payments.
Gumi further cited several recent attacks across Zamfara, including the abduction and killing of local government officials and the kidnapping of over 50 elderly residents just a day before the House sitting.
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The lawmaker said similar attacks have continued in neighbouring states such as Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Jigawa, with many communities forced to abandon their homes due to persistent violence.
He expressed concern that the unrestricted movement of bandits between communities and states was weakening public confidence in the nation’s security architecture and threatening economic activities in the affected areas.
During the debate, lawmakers called for urgent measures to tackle the growing insecurity. Some members advocated for the establishment of state police, while others urged the Federal Government to revisit the cashless policy and strengthen oversight of Bureau De Change operators to make ransom payments more difficult.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House directed the Minister of Defence to deploy additional security personnel and equipment to Zamfara and other parts of the North-West.
The lawmakers also called on the Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, Education, Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management to explore non-military approaches to addressing insecurity.
The House further mandated its Committees on Defence and other relevant committees to monitor compliance with its resolutions and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.
