morgANABLE News/security& justice
Citing recent incidents across several states, the lawmakers highlighted what they described as a disturbing pattern of coordinated and deadly attacks
KaNo —
The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has called on President Bola Tinubu to authorise a $5bn emergency security intervention to combat escalating violence, terrorism, banditry and mass abductions across Northern Nigeria.
The lawmakers, who described the scale and frequency of attacks as “intolerable,” urged the Federal Government to deploy overwhelming and sustained military force, backed by intelligence-driven operations, to dismantle criminal networks and reclaim territories under the control of armed groups.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the caucus leadership, comprising Minority Leader Fredrick Agbedi and spokesman Afam Ogene, stressed that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity required urgent, decisive and large-scale intervention beyond routine responses.
Reps Call For $5bn Security Intervention
They specifically proposed that the government consider drawing $5bn from the country’s external reserves to fund what they termed an “extraordinary national security intervention.”
“If funding is an issue, the government should draw $5bn from the nation’s external reserves for an extraordinary national security intervention,” the lawmakers said.
“The primary purpose of government is the welfare and security of the people, and no expenditure can be more fundamental than protecting the lives and livelihoods of Nigerian citizens.”
They warned that the current pattern of reactive responses often limited to statements of condemnation following attacks was insufficient to address the depth of the crisis.
Lawmakers Express Concern Over Rising Attacks
Citing recent incidents across several states, the lawmakers highlighted what they described as a disturbing pattern of coordinated and deadly attacks.
In Plateau State, they noted that more than 20 people were killed in Mangu Local Government Area, including at least 23 victims in a single incident.
In Niger State, over 60 worshippers were reportedly abducted by armed men during Friday prayers in Borgu Local Government Area.
Similarly, the caucus pointed to Sokoto State, where at least 40 residents, including a Chief Imam identified as Imam Aliyu, were killed in Ungushi community in Kebbe Local Government Area.
In Kaduna State, they said at least 30 people lost their lives in Naridon village in Kaura Local Government Area.
Lawmakers Calls For Rescue Of Abducted Borno Students
The lawmakers also lamented the continued captivity of schoolchildren abducted months ago in Borno State, noting that many families remain in anguish over the fate of their loved ones.
“This is no longer a situation that can be addressed principally through statements of condemnation after every attack,” the caucus said, calling for a comprehensive and sustained security response driven by actionable intelligence.
As part of their recommendations, the lawmakers urged President Tinubu to replicate on a much larger scale the strategy used in the successful rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
They proposed that affected regions be subjected to intensive military operations, with security forces directed to dominate and secure territories while systematically dismantling terrorist hideouts, forest enclaves and supply networks.
According to them, the objective of such operations should be to restrict and eliminate the operational capacity of criminal groups, rather than impose hardships on law-abiding citizens.
“We are not asking the President to lock down innocent Nigerians,” the caucus said. “We are asking the Commander-in-Chief to lock down the operational space of terrorists and bandits, deny them freedom of movement, cut off their supply lines and communications, and deploy overwhelming force against those who have turned parts of the North into killing fields.”
The lawmakers also called on the President to demonstrate direct leadership by visiting communities most affected by insecurity, particularly in Zamfara State. They urged him to travel to Illela to engage with residents and assess the situation firsthand.
“The physical presence of the President in these communities will reassure citizens that their plight is being taken seriously and that decisive action is underway,” the caucus added.
The demand for urgent intervention comes amid persistent security challenges that have plagued parts of Northern Nigeria for years, with armed groups continuing to raid villages, abduct residents for ransom and disrupt agricultural and economic activities.
Reps Call For Proactive Steps To Address Insecurity
The caucus stressed that the Federal Government’s response must shift from reactive measures to a proactive strategy aimed at dismantling the infrastructure and networks sustaining criminal operations.
Beyond military action, the lawmakers acknowledged recent steps taken by the government to improve the welfare of security personnel, including the increase in salaries of members of the Armed Forces.
They described the move as a positive development that could boost morale and operational effectiveness but urged the President to ensure its swift implementation.
To this end, they called on the executive to transmit the necessary amendments to the 2026 Appropriation Act, along with a Supplementary Appropriation Bill, to the National Assembly without delay.
They also indicated that the legislature should be ready to reconvene, if necessary, to expedite the approval process and avoid bureaucratic bottlenecks.
In a related development, the caucus raised concerns over the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, describing the situation as one that increasingly reflects “the character of a political persecution.”
“Our concern is not merely about one individual,” they said. “It is about the credibility and consistency of the Federal Government’s anti-corruption campaign.”
The caucus also criticised the composition of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, alleging that the inclusion of individuals previously associated with corruption allegations undermined the administration’s claims of impartiality.
According to the lawmakers, such contradictions weaken public trust and raise questions about the sincerity of the government’s anti-corruption drive.
As insecurity continues to escalate in parts of the country, the caucus maintained that urgent and decisive action is required to restore order, protect lives and stabilise affected communities.
They reiterated that the proposed $5bn intervention, combined with sustained military operations and improved intelligence coordination, could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and banditry if implemented effectively.
“The time for incremental responses has passed,” the statement concluded. “What is required now is a bold, comprehensive and sustained national security strategy capable of ending the cycle of violence and restoring peace across the country.”
