The House of Representatives has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately deploy a comprehensive and aggressive security strategy aimed at flushing out bandits and kidnappers from their hideouts and restoring safety across the country amid worsening insecurity.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Ibe Osonwa, who represents Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia State, during plenary on Tuesday.
Presenting 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,” Osonwa expressed concern over the rising wave of kidnappings, bandit attacks and insecurity affecting communities nationwide.
He reminded the Federal Government of its constitutional responsibility to protect citizens, citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which states that the security and welfare of the people shall remain the primary purpose of government.
Osonwa lamented the increasing attacks on schools, noting that widespread abductions had disrupted education and worsened Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis.
According to him, thousands of children have been forced out of classrooms due to fear of attacks, while families continue to endure trauma linked to kidnappings and prolonged captivity of victims.
He also raised concern over what he described as the systematic targeting of schools and places of worship, warning that institutions traditionally regarded as safe spaces have increasingly become vulnerable to criminal attacks.
The lawmaker further noted that worshippers across the country now face growing risks of abduction and violence during religious activities, a situation he said undermines constitutional rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
Osonwa also highlighted the economic impact of insecurity, stating that farming communities have been deserted, businesses shut down, and families pushed into poverty as they struggle to pay ransom demands.
He questioned the effectiveness of Nigeria’s current security architecture despite significant budgetary allocations, arguing that the response to insecurity has largely remained reactive and insufficient.
Following debate, the House condemned in strong terms the continued banditry, mass abductions and attacks on schools and religious centres across the country.
Lawmakers resolved to transmit an urgent appeal to President Tinubu, urging him in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to take decisive action to dismantle criminal strongholds and secure vulnerable communities.
The House specifically demanded the immediate deployment of an “aggressive, unrelenting and comprehensive security strategy” to eliminate bandit networks, protect schools and places of worship, and secure the release of abducted citizens.
In a further resolution, lawmakers warned that if the administration fails to significantly curb insecurity and restore public confidence within a defined timeframe, service chiefs should consider honourable resignation for failing to fulfil their constitutional mandate.
The House also mandated its Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, and Army to intensify oversight and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.
Nigeria continues to face persistent security challenges, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping for ransom and communal violence, particularly in the North-West, North-Central and North-East regions. Mass school abductions in states such as Kaduna, Niger and Zamfara in recent years have drawn widespread concern and renewed calls for stronger protection of educational institutions and vulnerable communities.
