Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - The House of Representatives has issued a strong warning to the Federal Government, stating that Nigerians may revolt if urgent action is not taken to address the worsening insecurity across the country.
During plenary, lawmakers from areas most affected by
insurgency and attacks by herdsmen criticized the Presidency for failing to
adequately tackle the crisis, despite over ₦19.7 trillion reportedly spent on
security between 2015 and 2019.
The debate was triggered by a motion of urgent public
importance moved by Ahmed Satomi, following a fire at the Giwa Barracks armoury
and renewed attacks on military installations in Borno and Yobe states. The
session quickly turned emotional, with several lawmakers voicing grave concerns
about the government’s inaction.
Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau) declared that elected officials
could be attacked by their constituents if insecurity persists. “Until
government responds with action, not just statements, no member of this
Assembly is safe. The people may come after us the same way they go after
criminals,” he warned.
Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno) painted a dire picture of recent
attacks in his constituency. “Ten farmers were slaughtered in Pulka, 14 in
Chibok, and military personnel were killed in Izge and Kampu. Boko Haram used
weaponized drones. The army is outgunned and undermanned. I saw it with my own
eyes.”
Jaha urged the House to conduct proper oversight, warning
that Boko Haram is resurging with more advanced weapons. “They are back and
worse than before. If we don’t act, we may return to the dark days when 22 of
27 local governments in Borno were under insurgent control.”
Zainab Gimba (APC, Borno) corroborated reports of foreign
fighters and drone usage in recent attacks. She revealed that during a Boko
Haram ambush on a multinational base in her constituency, 20 soldiers were
killed. “The commander told me several insurgents were white men. This is
beyond local terrorism.”
She also raised concerns about the location of military
formations in city centers, referring to the recent fire at Giwa Barracks in
Maiduguri. “Military bases should not be in densely populated areas. We are
politicizing people’s lives.”
Gimba further highlighted the impact of the recent exit of
Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS, warning that lack of coordination
poses a greater regional security threat.
Shettima Ali (APC, Yobe) called for legislative action to
allow citizens to defend themselves.
“Our security forces are not enough and don’t know the
terrain. Let’s pass a law that empowers people to protect themselves.”
Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos) said the government's security
spending has not translated into results.
“Drastic measures are needed. We’ve spent too much
without seeing progress.”
The House resolved to investigate the Giwa Barracks fire,
review security protocols at military installations, strengthen operations in
Borno and Yobe, and support families of affected soldiers. It also mandated the
Committees on Army, Defence, and National Security to report back within weeks.
Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed deep
concern over rising insecurity and economic hardship. In his address during the
resumption of plenary, he warned that the patience of Nigerians is wearing
thin.
Akpabio emphasized the need for urgent legislative action,
stating: “Our people look to us not for rhetoric, but for rescue. These
challenges require sacrifice, discipline, and unity. No test must find us
wanting.”
He acknowledged the insecurity in the South-East and
North-West, the farmer-herder crises in the North-Central, and unresolved
issues of equity in the South-South.
“The rising cost of living, instability in the energy sector,
and persistent insecurity must be addressed. The executive is doing its part;
we must complement that effort with strong legislative action,” he said.
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