Reps Urge Tinubu To Launch Offensive Against Bandits, Summon Security Chiefs

The House of Representatives has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately deploy an aggressive and comprehensive security operation to flush out bandits from their strongholds across the country, as lawmakers raised fresh concerns over worsening insecurity, mass kidnappings, and attacks on schools and worship centres.

The Green Chamber also summoned the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Service Chiefs, and the Inspector General of Police to brief lawmakers on the current security situation and ongoing counterterrorism operations nationwide.

The resolutions followed the adoption of motions of urgent public importance moved during Tuesday’s plenary by Hon. Ibe Osonwa (Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Abia State) and Hon. Sulaiman Gumi (Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency, Zamfara State).

Moving his motion, Osonwa lamented what he described as the escalating wave of banditry, mass abductions, and terrorist attacks across the federation, warning that the country was sliding into a persistent state of fear and insecurity.

He expressed concern over the systematic targeting of schools and places of worship, describing them as once-safe spaces that have now become vulnerable to violent attacks.

“The deeply disturbing and systematic targeting of educational institutions and places of worship has turned schools once sanctuaries of learning and churches sanctuaries of spiritual solace into prime targets for ruthless bandits and kidnappers,” he said.

He added that religious gatherings were increasingly under threat, with worshippers now exposed to abduction and attacks during services, thereby undermining citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of religion.

Osonwa also lamented the socio-economic impact of insecurity, saying ordinary Nigerians were being forced into poverty as farming communities are abandoned and families struggle to pay ransom demands.

“Ordinary Nigerians are crying out every day, feeling entirely abandoned by the state,” he said.

He further argued that despite significant budgetary allocations to security, the current security architecture appears overwhelmed and largely reactive.

“The apparent lack of a decisive, definitive, and crushing military response… has left citizens with the grim impression that the government has lost control of vast territories within the nation,” he added.

Adopting the motion, the House condemned in strong terms the continued killings, abductions, and attacks on schools and churches across the country, urging urgent action to restore public confidence.

In a separate motion, Hon. Sulaiman Gumi raised alarm over worsening insecurity in the North West, particularly in Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, and Zamfara States.

He described the situation in Zamfara and surrounding states as a deepening humanitarian crisis driven by banditry, kidnappings, and cross-border criminal networks.

Gumi cited multiple attacks, including the abduction of students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, and the prolonged captivity of lecturers despite reported ransom payments.

He also referenced deadly raids in Sokoto, Katsina, and Kaduna States, including killings in Dangulbi community and kidnappings involving prominent individuals.

According to him, the continuous movement of armed groups between communities and states is undermining national security and worsening the humanitarian situation in affected areas.

He warned that failure to urgently address the crisis could further destabilise the region and deepen economic hardship for affected communities.

Following deliberations, lawmakers backed calls for an intensified military response, alongside a comprehensive briefing from top security officials on efforts to curb the violence.