Reps Demand Quick Action Against Banditry and School Abductions, Urge Service Chiefs to Resign

The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the federal government to act quickly against the rising banditry, mass kidnappings, and attacks on schools and places of worship across Nigeria.

The lawmakers stated that if insecurity continues and the government cannot restore order within a set time, the service chiefs should resign for failing to protect citizens.

This call followed a motion sponsored by Ibe Osonwa (LP, Abia). He expressed worries about the worsening security situation and the threats facing school children, religious worshippers, and rural communities.

During the debate, Mr Osonwa reminded the House that Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution makes the security and welfare of citizens a top priority for the government.

He pointed out that the ongoing kidnapping of schoolchildren is disrupting education, forcing thousands out of school and worsening Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis.

Mr Osonwa said the country is seeing a dangerous rise in banditry, mass kidnappings, and terror attacks, leaving many communities in fear.

“With deep sadness, we see the daily rise in banditry, mass kidnappings, and terror attacks across states, putting the nation in a constant state of mourning and fear,” he said.

He expressed particular worry about the growing number of attacks on schools and places of worship. He noted that places once seen as safe havens for learning and worship are now targets for kidnappers and armed groups.

He added that worshippers are often attacked, kidnapped, or killed during services, which threatens citizens' rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.

Mr Osonwa also said that ordinary Nigerians feel neglected as businesses fail, farming communities are abandoned, and families struggle to pay ransoms for kidnapped relatives.

He questioned the effectiveness of the country’s security forces despite large budgets for defense and security agencies.

“Despite the trillions of naira given to the defense and security sectors in past budgets, the current security setup seems overwhelmed, reactive, and unable to stop the bandits,” he said.

He warned that the inability of security agencies to tackle criminal groups is making it seem like the government has lost control of parts of the country.

Chinedu Ogah (ADC, Ebonyi) joined the debate, asking the House to include the Nigerian Police Force in the resolution. He stressed that the police are key to gathering intelligence, preventing crime, and handling internal security.

House Resolutions

After discussions, the House unanimously adopted the motion. They condemned banditry, mass abductions, and attacks on schools and places of worship.

The lawmakers agreed to send an urgent appeal to President Bola Tinubu, reminding him of his duty as Commander-in-Chief to protect Nigerian lives and property.

The House called for a strong security strategy to dismantle bandit camps, protect vulnerable schools and worship centers, and secure the immediate release of all kidnapped individuals.

In one of the motion’s major resolutions, the House stated that if the government cannot stop the growing insecurity and restore safety within a set time, the service chiefs should resign for failing to do their job.

Lawmakers also tasked the House Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, and Army to monitor security operations closely and report back in two weeks for further action.

The Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, who led the session, referred the motion to the relevant committees for further action.

Recent Attacks Heighten Concerns

This motion comes as worries rise over recent mass abductions targeting schools across the country.

In Oyo State, armed men attacked schools and nearby communities on 15 May, abducting 46 people, including 39 students and seven teachers.

The victims were taken from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School. Reports say one of the abducted teachers was killed while in captivity, raising fears among families.

The Oyo incident marked a troubling spread of large-scale school kidnappings to the South-west, a region that had been less affected.

In Borno State, suspected insurgents stormed schools in Mussa community, Askira-Uba Local Government Area, taking 42 pupils and students.

Reports indicate that 28 pupils were taken from a primary school, four from a secondary school, and 10 more from homes nearby. The attack happened during school hours, forcing many residents to flee. Authorities later closed the affected school and moved pupils to safer locations.

The Borno incident was particularly significant as it was one of the worst school abductions in the state since the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping. It reignited fears about the safety of schools in conflict areas.

Human rights groups and community leaders warn that these attacks are causing many parents to pull their children from school. This threatens education and increases the risk of child labor and early marriage in affected areas.