Reps end three-day special session on security with tough warnings, far-reaching demands

The House is expected to release a consolidated resolution capturing all recommendations from the three-day session and thereafter forward them to the executive for immediate implementation.

The House of Representatives on Thursday concluded a three-day special session on national security with nearly five hours of robust deliberations, raising urgent concerns over the worsening insecurity in Nigeria.

The session, which began on Tuesday, brought together lawmakers to interrogate the increased security crises in the country and examine strategies for protecting citizens against terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes.

Over the three days, lawmakers discussed the structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s security architecture, the inadequate welfare of security personnel, and the need for stronger community engagement in intelligence and law enforcement.

They also examined the impact of poverty, unemployment, and climate change on the proliferation of criminal networks.

Wednesday’s session saw particularly intense debates, with representatives highlighting personal experiences from their relatives and constituencies, warning that continued inaction could consign Nigeria to a dark page in history.

On Thursday, the lawmakers reflected deep frustration with existing national policies and enforcement mechanisms. Several members lamented the absence of an effective victim support system, uneven delivery of justice, and the slow pace of critical reforms such as state policing and community-based security initiatives.

‘Victims abandoned, terrorists pampered’ – Laori

Kwamoti Laori (PDP, Adamawa) highlighted the lack of a functioning victim support system in Nigeria, which he described as “non-existent.”

He recalled how terrorists overran communities in his constituency for five days, with residents receiving no help despite earlier visits and promises from then Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Mr Laori narrated how local hunters and vigilantes attempted to block the invaders’ route, attracting an Air Force gunship that dispersed them, yet the attackers still escaped. He faulted the military’s inertia.

“There is an army checkpoint just a kilometre away. We confronted them, and they said they would not act because they had not been given an order. What message are we passing?” he asked.

He decried the selective approach to justice, noting that terrorists are often rehabilitated while victims languish in IDP camps.

“Prominent people in this country have taken pictures with these terrorists and acted covertly and overtly. What message are we passing? The message we are passing is that crime pays,” he said.

Mr Laori also highlighted the disparity in response to foreign kidnappings compared to local ones.

He said, “An American was kidnapped here. The US spent what would amount to the budgets of three states to secure his release. Many Nigerians have been kidnapped, and some of us here have contributed personally to pay ransoms. What message are we passing?”

He added that while the United Arab Emirates publicly named terrorism financiers, Nigeria has yet to prosecute those identified locally.

El-Rufai calls for better welfare, state policing

Bello El-Rufai (APC, Kaduna) urged the House to ensure strict timelines for implementing President Bola Tinubu’s new security directives. He called for immediate increases in police and military salaries.

“At present, one police officer manages 600 Nigerians. The UN recommends 1 to 400. We are understaffed,” he said.

He argued that discrepancies in the justice system undermine public confidence, citing the recent sentencing of Boko Haram member Hussaini Isma’il to 20 years while IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu received life imprisonment.

Mr El-Rufai reaffirmed his support for state policing, insisting that centralised policing cannot work.

“We cannot sit in Abuja and expect efficient operations in Benue. We must return to communal policing and involve traditional leaders,” he said.

He warned that social neglect in the North is driving youth into criminality, amplified by social media displays of wealth by bandits.

Shagaya: Criminality now profit-driven, communities complicit

Tolani Shagaya (APC, Kwara) said groups once driven by ideology have evolved into purely criminal gangs sustained by ransom-taking and extortion.

He noted that some rural communities now harbour criminals for financial gain.

“This symbiotic relationship, born of desperation, has made the challenge more complex,” he said.

Mr Shagaya expressed alarm over the presence of informants who leak intelligence to bandits.

“How many ambushes could have been prevented? How many lives saved?” he asked.

He also linked escalating insecurity to climate-induced pressures such as desertification, violent clashes over land, crop failures and water scarcity.

Onobun wants NSA, service chiefs summoned

Marcus Onobun (APC, Edo) called for the National Security Adviser and service chiefs to appear before the House and provide detailed plans to implement the president’s new directives.

“The statement from Mr President is not enough. We want to now see action,” he said.

Elegbeji: Adopt root-cause, non-kinetic, state-level solutions

Ayoola Elegbeji (APC, Ogun) urged reforms in accountability, strengthened community-based intelligence and a properly structured state-police system.

“Our response as a House must be root cause focused and nonkinetic. We need to urgently reform our security sector and make it more accountable,” she said.

She pushed for urgent reforms to the National School Safety Initiative, particularly in girls’ schools repeatedly targeted by kidnappers.

“This includes improving infrastructure, coordinating security agencies, and focusing on vulnerable schools, especially those for girls, to protect every child’s right to education,” she added.

Afuape: Link security to development, close inequality gaps
Afolabi Afuape (APC, Ogun) argued that insecurity cannot be addressed without social and economic development.

“When people are not happy and cannot put food on the table, insecurity will persist,” he said.

He called for a security strategy shaped at the local government level and greater investment in technology and intelligence.

Onuh: ‘This is genocide, not banditry’

Blessing Onuh (APC, Benue) delivered one of the strongest condemnations of the ongoing killings.

“Our country is under attack. This is a massacre. It is terrorism in its highest form. It is genocide. It is ethnic cleansing,” she said.

Expressing fear for her constituents in Otukpo/Ohimini, she said people can no longer go to their farms or sleep safely.

She recommended introducing security awareness as a primary-school subject and urged Nigeria to acquire more drones and technical assets.

Chigeru calls for intelligence reforms, border control

Blessing Chigeru (PDP, Rivers) urged strengthened intelligence gathering, better inter-agency coordination, improved welfare for security agencies, and investments in drones, data analytics and CCTV systems.

She said, “We need to strengthen intelligence gathering through community based reporting, improved inter-agency coordination, to increase funding, equipment and welfare for security agencies, to boost operational effectiveness, to fast track security sector reforms on professionalism, accountability, and technology driven policy, to expand deployment of modern survey tools, drones, CCTV, networks and data analytics in high risk areas.

She also called for tougher border control to curb arms trafficking and collaborative action between federal, state and local authorities.

Deputy Speaker: ‘Nigeria is listening’

Closing the session, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu praised members for their engagement and assured them that the executive is paying close attention.

“Even before our resolution comes out, we have noticed the body language of the executive. Mr President’s letter today answered most of our deliberations,” he said, referencing President Tinubu’s earlier letter.

Mr Kalu announced that lawmakers would continue the engagement at a meeting with the First Lady on Friday at the State House.

“As a former parliamentarian herself, she will contribute to deepening this conversation and supporting the policies needed to achieve our national objectives,” he said.

The House is expected to release a consolidated resolution capturing all recommendations from the three-day security session and thereafter forward them to the executive for immediate implementation.