REPS ISSUE ULTIMATUM ON INSECURITY, ASK SERVICE CHIEFS TO RESIGN IF SITUATION PERSISTS

REPS ISSUE ULTIMATUM ON INSECURITY, ASK SERVICE CHIEFS TO RESIGN IF SITUATION PERSISTS

The House of Representatives has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to implement a more comprehensive and aggressive security strategy to tackle banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and other violent crimes across the country, warning that service chiefs should resign if the worsening insecurity is not brought under control within a reasonable timeframe.

The position of the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Ibe Osonwa, who represents Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia State, during plenary on Tuesday.

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,” highlighted growing concerns over persistent attacks on communities, schools, and religious centres across various parts of the country.

While presenting the motion, Osonwa expressed concern over the increasing cases of kidnappings, terrorism, banditry, and violent attacks affecting vulnerable communities nationwide. He reminded the Federal Government of its constitutional obligation to protect lives and property, citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that the security and welfare of citizens remain the primary responsibility of government.

The lawmaker lamented the continued targeting of educational institutions by criminal groups, noting that repeated abductions of students in several states have disrupted learning and contributed to Nigeria’s out-of-school children challenge. According to him, many families continue to deal with the emotional and financial consequences of kidnappings, while thousands of children have been forced out of classrooms due to security concerns.

Osonwa also raised concerns about attacks on places of worship, stating that churches, mosques, and other religious centres, traditionally regarded as safe spaces, have increasingly become targets for kidnappers and armed groups. He warned that such incidents threaten citizens' constitutional rights to freedom of worship and religion.

The lawmaker further highlighted the economic impact of insecurity, arguing that many businesses have closed operations, farming communities have been abandoned, and numerous families have been pushed deeper into poverty as a result of persistent attacks.

He maintained that current security responses appear largely reactive and insufficient to effectively confront criminal networks operating in different parts of the country. According to him, the inability to decisively defeat bandits and terrorists has created concerns that some areas may be slipping beyond government control.

Following deliberations, the House strongly condemned the continued incidents of banditry, mass abductions, and attacks on schools and places of worship across Nigeria.

Lawmakers resolved to send what they described as an urgent appeal to President Tinubu, reminding him of his responsibility as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to protect the lives and property of Nigerians.

The House called for the immediate deployment of a robust, coordinated, and sustained security strategy aimed at dismantling criminal hideouts, securing vulnerable schools and worship centres, and ensuring the safe release of citizens held captive by criminal groups.

In addition, lawmakers stated that if the administration fails to reverse the deteriorating security situation and restore public confidence within a clearly defined period, the nation's service chiefs should honourably step down from their positions.

The House also directed its Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, and Army to intensify oversight of the implementation of the resolutions and report back within two weeks for further legislative consideration.

Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and communal violence, particularly in parts of the North-West, North-Central, and North-East regions. In recent years, mass abductions of students in states such as Kaduna, Niger, and Zamfara have attracted national and international attention, prompting renewed calls for stronger measures to protect schools and vulnerable communities.