The Senate on Tuesday took far-reaching decisions as insecurity escalates across multiple states, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review the Firearms law to permit responsible Nigerians to own guns for self-defence. It also resolved to initiate amendments to the Terrorism (Prevention) Act to classify kidnapping as an act of terrorism punishable by death.
Lawmakers dissolved the Senate Committees on National Security and Intelligence, as well as the Navy Committee, and directed the Committees on Army, Navy, Defence, and Interior to brief the Senate in a closed-door session on comprehensive strategies to address nationwide insecurity. They also urged President Tinubu to further rejig his security team for a more effective response to emerging threats.The Senate resolved to urgently investigate why security operatives were withdrawn moments before the bandits’ attack on GGCSS, Maga, Kebbi State girls’ school, and to probe the circumstances surrounding the death of Brigadier General Uba Musa.
These resolutions followed a motion of national importance raised by a lawmaker from Kwara State, Lola Ashiru, highlighting the urgent need to address escalating insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi, Niger States, and other regions. The motion detailed the rising wave of violent attacks, mass abductions, school closures, and expanding criminal networks.
Ashiru expressed alarm over the November 18 attack on the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, where armed assailants killed two people and abducted 38 others, who were later rescued. The incident triggered widespread school closures in five local government areas in Kwara, as well as in Niger and Kebbi States. Additionally, all 47 Federal Unity Schools nationwide were temporarily shut down, disrupting education for thousands of children and deepening fear.
The lawmaker warned that the Eruku attack reflected a disturbing national pattern, citing recent student abductions in Kebbi and Niger States, exposing the vulnerability of schools, worship centres, and farms to terrorist and bandit attacks. He raised concerns over credible intelligence pointing to internal collaborators who provide criminals with logistics, information, and escape routes. He also highlighted the increasing sophistication of terrorist groups, who intercept communications, conduct surveillance, and scavenge personal items after raids.
Ashiru noted that criminal gangs exploit porous forest corridors such as the Kwara–Kogi axis, the Kebbi–Zamfara route, and the Shiroro–Rafi–Munya belt in Niger, making rescue operations more difficult. He added that Kwara South alone has recorded over 40 abductions in 18 months, mirroring trends in neighbouring states and threatening schools, farms, and rural livelihoods.The Senate warned that without urgent action, Nigeria risks mass displacement, prolonged school shutdowns, and severe psychological trauma for children and vulnerable groups.
However, the Senate commended President Tinubu for his leadership and swift response to attacks in Eruku, Kebbi, and Niger, noting his decision to cancel planned foreign trips to coordinate security efforts. Ongoing federal operations contributed to the rescue of 51 abducted students in Niger State and all 38 victims in Kwara.The Senate also urged the Federal Ministry of Works to begin immediate reconstruction of highways where bandits operate and mandated the Nigerian Army, Police, DSS, and Defence Intelligence Bureau to intensify intelligence-driven operations, including aerial surveillance, forest combing, and community-based intelligence gathering. It advised the Federal Government to strengthen local vigilante groups for faster response to attacks, including reviewing Nigeria’s firearm laws to allow responsible citizens to own guns, as permitted in over 175 countries.
Additionally, the Senate called for diplomatic engagement with the United States and allied nations to boost intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism training, and technological cooperation. Lawmakers observed a one-minute silence in honour of victims of recent attacks. During submissions, some lawmakers blamed past administrations for current insecurity, but Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe cautioned the chamber to focus on the present government and its response. He noted that while past incidents like the Chibok girls’ abduction occurred, today’s challenges are different and must be addressed promptly. Minority Leader Abba Moro added that some tactics may inadvertently embolden bandits. He urged the President to develop a comprehensive security policy aimed at preventing banditry and kidnapping rather than reacting after communities have already been affected.
