Congress calls on Tinubu to strengthen efforts against banditry and kidnappings

The House of Representatives has urged President Bola Tinubu to adopt a more comprehensive and assertive security strategy to address banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping across Nigeria.

This call came after the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance, sponsored by Representative Ibe Osonwa of the Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency in Abia State, during a plenary session on Tuesday.

The motion, titled “A Call for Immediate Executive Action on the Surge in Banditry, the Daily Abduction of Schoolchildren and the Perilous Security Situation in Nigerian Schools and Places of Worship,” highlighted growing concerns over nationwide insecurity.

Representative Osonwa, when presenting the motion, cited the rising number of kidnappings, bandit attacks, terrorism, and violence against vulnerable communities. He reminded the Federal Government of its constitutional duty to protect lives and property, citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

The lawmaker expressed alarm over repeated attacks on schools, noting that the abduction of students in several parts of the country has disrupted education and exacerbated the out‑of‑school children crisis.

According to him, many children have been forced out of classrooms due to fears of insecurity, while families continue to grapple with the trauma of kidnappings.

Osonwa also raised concerns about attacks on places of worship, saying worshippers increasingly face security threats while carrying out religious activities.

He further noted that insecurity has negatively impacted economic activities, with businesses shutting down, farming communities being displaced, and many families pushed into hardship.

The lawmaker argued that current security efforts appear insufficient to effectively curb the activities of criminal groups and warned that continued attacks could erode public confidence in the government’s ability to maintain security.

Following deliberations, the House condemned the persistent incidents of banditry, mass abductions, and attacks on schools and places of worship across the country.

The lawmakers resolved to convey an urgent appeal to President Tinubu, urging him, as Commander‑in‑Chief of the Armed Forces, to take decisive action to protect Nigerians and secure vulnerable communities.

They called for the immediate implementation of a comprehensive security strategy aimed at dismantling criminal networks, improving the safety of schools and places of worship, and securing the release of victims held by criminal groups.

The House also directed its Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, and Army to intensify oversight of security operations and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.

(NAN)

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