Written by Tracy Moses
House of Representatives Urges Comprehensive Security Response from President Tinubu
The House of Representatives has called on President Bola Tinubu to implement a robust security strategy aimed at dismantling bandit networks, addressing the rampant kidnappings of schoolchildren, and restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s security system.
This urgent resolution emerged from a motion sponsored by Ibe Osonwa, the Member of Parliament for Arochukwu/Ohafia in Abia State, during a recent plenary session. Osonwa’s motion, titled “Calls for immediate action by civil authorities against the proliferation of bandits, daily kidnappings of schoolchildren, and the dangerous security situation in schools and places of worship in Nigeria,” highlighted the escalating crisis of insecurity plaguing vulnerable communities across the country.
Osonwa underscored the federal government’s constitutional obligation to safeguard lives and property, referencing Article 14(2)(b) of the amended 1999 Constitution, which states that “the safety and welfare of the people shall be the principal purpose of government.” He expressed alarm over the increase in attacks on educational institutions, warning that the ongoing kidnappings threaten to undermine educational access and worsen Nigeria’s prominent out-of-school child situation.
He further noted that “kidnappings of schoolchildren in various regions are disrupting education and exacerbating the out-of-school child crisis.” The MP lamented that countless children have been forced out of classrooms due to fear, while families face the trauma associated with the abduction and prolonged captivity of their loved ones.
In his remarks, Osonwa condemned the systematic targeting of schools and places of worship by criminal elements, pointing out that venues once regarded as safe have increasingly become hotbeds of violence. He warned that worshippers across Nigeria are now at risk of kidnapping and violence while participating in religious activities, undermining their constitutional rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
The economic ramifications of this security crisis were also emphasized, as Osonwa stated that ongoing assaults have devastated livelihoods, led to the displacement of rural communities, and forced families into poverty. “Many businesses are closing, rural areas are becoming deserted, and families are resorting to desperate measures to gather ransom money for their abducted relatives,” he explained.
Despite substantial budget allocations for defense and security agencies over the years, Osonwa expressed concern that Nigeria’s approach to insecurity remains largely reactive and inadequate to effectively combat criminal activity. He warned that the inability to decisively address banditry is fostering a perception of governmental decline in control over various regions.
After extensive discussions, the House condemned the ongoing banditry, mass kidnappings, and attacks on educational and religious institutions across Nigeria. Members resolved to send an “urgent and solemn appeal” to President Tinubu, reminding him of his constitutional duty as Commander-in-Chief to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians.
The House specifically urged the President to deploy an “aggressive, relentless, and comprehensive security strategy” designed to dismantle bandit hideouts, safeguard vulnerable schools and places of worship, and facilitate the unconditional release of citizens held captive by criminal organizations. In one of the most forceful resolutions regarding the nation’s security crisis, lawmakers indicated that if the government fails to improve the situation within defined timelines, military chiefs should consider resigning from their positions for not fulfilling their constitutional mandate.
The House has instructed Committees on Defense, National Security, Intelligence, and Armed Services to heighten oversight of the resolution’s implementation and report back within two weeks for further legislative action. As the nation continues to grapple with various security threats, including banditry, terrorism, and kidnappings, particularly in the northwest and north-central regions, the urgency for stronger protective measures on educational institutions and vulnerable communities remains paramount.
