Insecurity: Nigerians may revolt if nothing is done as terrorism and crimes worsen
Amidst the ongoing incessant killings, kidnappings and other criminal activities in Nigeria, the House of Representatives Has warned of Revolution.
The Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives, sitting in Abuja, the country’s capital, warned the executive branch of government yesterday that Nigerians may revolt if nothing is done to curb insecurity in the country.
Insecurity: Nigerians May Revolt If Nothing Is Done – Reps
This warning came on the same day the Senate President Goodwill Akpabio told his fellow lawmakers that the insecurity and state of the economy are pushing Nigerians to the limit, and asked to react with legislative actions.
Lawmakers from regions and communities taken over by insurgency and killings by herdsmen, who presided over the debate on the issue of plenary, also alleged that the Presidency has not done enough to lay the country’s insecurity to bed, despite having spent N19.7 trillion on security.
Howbeit, moves to reach the President to react to such an allegation were unsuccessful as the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, referred reporters to the office of National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu but the NSA could not also be reached as both calls and text messages are yet to be responded to.
The motion in the House was intensified by a debate of urgent public significance moved by Ahmed Satomi on the recent fire at the armoury at Giwa barracks and the proliferating attacks on military formations in Borno and Yobe states respectively.
The motion immediately switched into emotional testimonies and stern warnings, with some lawmakers stating that if swift actions are not taken by government to curb insecurity, Nigerians may revolt by turning on their elected representatives.
Insecurity: Nigerians May Revolt If Nothing Is Done – Reps
In the view of Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau) admonished those who are downplaying the severity of insecurity, stating:
“when the governor is crying and someone within the comfort of his zone says the governor is raising an unnecessary alarm, we are rascals. Nigerians are being killed. This is unacceptable.”
“Until the right thing is done by us here, until government responds with action, not just media statements, don’t bet that any member of the National Assembly is safe.
“We may be attacked not by Boko Haram, but by the people that elected you and I.
Time will come when, if action is not taken, Nigerians will take their destinies in their own hands.
“Mr. Speaker, we must stand up and find a way of bringing this issue of insecurity to a halt, otherwise, you and I are not safe.
“No matter how Nigerians respect us, we are moving to a level that they will fight us the way they fight criminals and the way they fight Boko Haram.
10 People Killed in Chibok
Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno), whose constituency comprises Chibok, gave a cool account of how Boko Haram is exploiting his area.
He said: “10 farmers were slaughtered in Pulka; 14 in Chibok, and military officers at Izge and Kampu. In Wajiboko, Boko Haram used weaponized drones. The Nigerian Army is outgunned and undermanned. I have seen it, nobody told me, I was there.”
Jaha also issued a warning that the House should not be complacent, taking nothing for granted: “between 2015 and 2019, the government spent N19.7 trillion on security, yet Boko Haram is resurging, worse than ever. We must do proper oversight.
Insecurity: Nigerians May Revolt If Nothing Is Done – Reps
“Mr. Speaker, I am talking as a victim of the recent resurgence of Boko Haram insurgency. I went to my constituency on Saturday to sympathise, to condone with the people that lost their lives as a result of this sporadic, uninterrupted attack.
“In my constituency in Pulka, 10 peasant farmers went out to scavenge for what we call ‘sawroot.’ They were slaughtered by Boko Haram members and five are still missing, while three are critically ill in the hospital. In Chibok, 14 peasant farmers were attacked in their community.
“In the twinkle of an eye, they (insurgents) reduced 14 people to nothing. People were cut down while running for their lives by insurgents firing new AK-47 rifles. I lost two military officers as a result of the attack.
‘’In Kampu, I lost two men and one military officer. This will be on record. They (Boko Haram) are using armed drones, weaponized drones, which the Nigerian Army is not using. In other words, they are more sophisticated and advanced than the Nigerian Army.
“Boko Haram is coming back worse than what we had in the past. Take it or leave it. Boko Haram are coming back.
Let us do something serious in order not to go back to the days 22 local governments out of 27 were occupied by Boko Haram.
“We shouldn’t be complacent with this. I align with the Deputy Speaker by saying we should do our part by doing proper oversight as expected, because between 2015 and 2019, Nigerian government spent N19.7 trillion on security issues. I have the record with me. So we shouldn’t be complacent.’’
Zainab Gimba (APC, Borno) supported the use of drones and mercenaries in recent attacks. She said: “In my constituency, 20 soldiers were killed in a Boko Haram ambush on a multinational force base.
“The commander told me that among the insurgents were several white men; there is foreign influence here.’’
She negated the standing of military formation within the cities, citing Giwa Barracks fire in Maiduguri as an example, which led to detonation of military bombs.
Insecurity: Nigerians May Revolt If Nothing Is Done – Reps
“Before the public knew what was happening, panic had already spread. These formations should be outside city centres. Our lives should not be politicised.
“Mr. Speaker, another issue of concern for this House is that the exit of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali from ECOWAS has also posed a lot of threat, especially at the border of Mali and other Nigerian borders. ’If there is no synergy, this insurgency will pose several threats to the country, not only to the state.
“We are giving the impression that the fire in Maiduguri came as a result of either a fire source or whatever within the barracks. On that particular day, there wasn’t any Boko Haram attack.
“In my own constituency, in Mungo, Mr. Speaker, there has been a Boko Haram attack on military formation of the multinational joint task force where more than 20 soldiers were killed.
“It will interest you to know that I visited that formation and the commander told me that out of about 100 soldiers in that formation, we have only six Nigerian soldiers.
“And it is a multinational joint task force where we expect to have, if not equal number, at least substantive number of Nigerian military men.
‘’Again, Mr. Speaker, the commanding officer of that formation revealed that it wasn’t the first or the second time the formation has been attacked, but on that very day, March 24, 2025, the attack was unprecedented.’’
“Let Citizens Defend Themselves.”
Also contributing, Shettima Ali (APC, Yobe) proposed legislative reform that will allow the citizens to defend themselves. He said: “Let this House create a law that permits our people to protect themselves. The security forces are not enough and don’t know the terrain.
Insecurity: Nigerians May Revolt If Nothing Is Done – Reps
“Our people are being killed by the day. I want this House to come up with another idea to deal with our people, we have to think of how to create a law that will allow our people protect themselves; we just need this thing.
“Like Jaha said, our security personnel are inadequate, they don’t know the terrain of our communities, though they are trying their best.’’
Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos), in a sober tone, said that the monies spend by Federal Government on security is not bringing any good return for money.
He said, “The presidency has spent so much on the military without commensurate outcomes. We need drastic measures.
However, the House have moved to look into the cause of Giwa Barrack fire in Maiduguri to prevent any recurrence.
It also moves to conduct a thorough review of security architecture in all military installations to prevent same incidents, also asked the Federal Government to reinforce security operations in Borno and Yobe states which will protect military personnel and civilians; and provide aid as well as recompense the families of affected soldiers.
The House also tasked the Committee on Army, Defence and National Security to look into the matter and report back in weeks.
Meanwhile, the Senate President Godswill Akpabio also, yesterday, expressed uncertainty over how insecurity and worsening economy were moving Nigerians to the edge.
Insecurity: Nigerians May Revolt If Nothing Is Done – Reps
According to him, the inflating cost of living, the blinking in the energy sector, and the constant insecurity in various parts of the country all demand not only attention, but also legislative action of the Senate.
“People Watching How We Respond to Insecurity” – Akpabio
In Apkabio’s welcome address on the resumption of the Senate plenary after Sallah abd Easter break yesterday, he reminded his fellow lawmakers that the people and the world were watching to see how the House would respond to the myriad of difficulties militating against Nigeria.
The Senate President, who also warned his colleagues not to relax, said: “I welcome you all back to this hallowed chamber after what has been a spiritually enriching and reflective recess, marked by the observance of Easter and Eid-el-Fitr.
‘’These sacred seasons, Christianity’s celebration of sacrifice and resurrection, and Islam’s culmination of fasting, prayer, and charity, are not merely religious milestones, they are moral mirrors and national metaphors.
“They remind us of the virtues this country so desperately needs — sacrifice, discipline, patience, unity, and the courage to rise from adversity.
“Let those lessons not remain in the churches or mosques we attended. Let them walk with us into this chamber, speak through our debates, and shine in the quality of the laws we make.
“The burdens on our shoulders are enormous, and no season better prepares the soul to carry such burdens than the one we’ve just passed through.
Insecurity: Nigerians May Revolt If Nothing Is Done – Reps
“Senators, much has transpired in our dear country while we were away. Our economy continues to stretch the patience and resilience of our people.
The rising cost of living, instability in the energy sector, and persisting insecurity in parts of the nation all demand not just attention but also legislative action.
“Legislative action to support the great work the executive arm, led by President Bola Tinubu, is doing to fix the myriad of challenges which besiege our nation.
“In the South-East and North-West, communities still battle criminality and terrorism. In the North-Central, farmers and herders still seek protection and justice.
“And in the South-South, the questions of environmental equity and resource fairness remain unresolved.
‘’These are not just news headlines, they are the bleeding wounds of the republic. Our people look to us, not for rhetoric, but for rescue.
“But I believe that there is no river we cannot cross if we put our trust in God and faith in the people He has ordained to lead us in both the executive and legislative arms of our government.
“In the media, during our recess, the reform of our electoral and judicial systems, and the role of the legislature in sustaining democracy are not idle conversations.
“They are the heartbeat of our democratic future. Let us rise up and meet these expectations.
“Colleagues, let us make no mistake, we are under watch. The people are watching. The world is watching. Our constituents are watching. And history silent, but unsleeping is watching.
Insecurity: Nigerians May Revolt If Nothing Is Done – Reps
“No test must find us wanting. No challenge must catch us unprepared. Let every vote we cast, every motion we raise, and every oversight we conduct bear the fingerprints of integrity and patriotism.
“The task ahead of us this session is as solemn as it is historic. We will be examining bills critical to national stability on security reform, economic resilience, education, technology, and youth empowerment.
“Our committees will delve into oversight functions that could unlock the performance potential of many MDAs.
“Let us carry out our duties with the spirit of statesmen, not partisans. Let us elevate debate over division. Let us govern with grace, not grudge.
“To the Nigerian people, I say this: Your Senate is back at work. And we have not forgotten your hopes, your hardships, or your hunger for change.
“We are here, refreshed in spirit, renewed in resolve, to build a nation where peace is not an illusion, and progress not a promise, but a pattern.”
Insecurity: Nigerians May Revolt If Nothing Is Done – Reps
