Abuja – The Senate convened on Tuesday for a spirited debate on the escalating insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger states, following a motion by Senator Lola Ashiru of Kwara South that called for immediate and comprehensive federal intervention. The motion highlighted recent attacks, including the abduction of schoolchildren in Kebbi, and raised concerns about military withdrawals and compromised operations.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin said the security challenges confronting the nation were surmountable but required international support. “We should seek assistance from overseas, urging collaboration with global partners to stem the crisis,” he said.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the current wave of insecurity as a turning point that must not be business as usual. He warned that the nation risks losing everything unless decisive action is taken. While welcoming the safe rescue of abducted captives, Bamidele expressed disappointment that there was no mention of terrorists neutralised in the operation. He cautioned against grandstanding, referencing a House of Representatives debate that called for a shutdown of the National Assembly. “If we are calling on the President to rejig the security architecture, we must also look into our own arrangement. I am not impressed with our Committee on Security and Intelligence. We should rejig it ourselves,” Bamidele said.
Opposition lawmaker Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe criticised attempts to blame past administrations, insisting that the current government must take responsibility for today’s failures. He cited reports that troops withdrew shortly before the Kebbi school attack, asking, “Who asked them? Nobody knows. If I were the Commander‑in‑Chief, I would demand answers.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio highlighted reports that the location of a brigadier general killed in Borno had been compromised, raising fears of internal sabotage. He also expressed concern that despite security advisories and defensive training given to students in Kebbi, bandits still invaded the school unhindered.
An uproar erupted when Senator Seriake Dickson warned that Nigeria was losing prestige and integrity before the world, accusing the majority caucus of managing the issues rather than confronting them. His comments triggered an uproar from All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers, leading to his microphone being cut off.
Senator Akpabio condemned attempts to frame the crisis along religious or sectional lines, stating, “This is orchestrated to damage the image of democracy. There is nothing like targeting Muslims or Christians. It is an attack on all. This country is under attack.”
Senator Adams Oshiomhole defended President Bola Tinubu, saying the President was doing his best under difficult circumstances. He demanded a probe into the troop withdrawal before the Kebbi school attack, asking, “Who ordered the military to withdraw? That person should be tried for terrorism.” The Senate subsequently adopted this demand among its resolutions. Oshiomhole also questioned inconsistencies in the justice system, noting that a convicted terrorist named Hassan received a 20‑year sentence while people who killed a bandit in self‑defence were sentenced to death. Several lawmakers are now pushing for the death penalty to be imposed on kidnappers.
The debate underscored deep divisions over how to address the nation’s security crisis, with calls for both stronger domestic action and international cooperation, as well as demands for accountability within the security apparatus and the Senate itself.
