The House of Representatives has summoned Nigeria’s Service Chiefs and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy to appear before lawmakers and provide a detailed account of funds allocated and released for security operations amid worsening insecurity across the country.
The decision followed deliberations on the increasing cases of banditry, kidnappings and attacks on communities, schools and places of worship, particularly in the North-West region.
Lawmakers expressed concern that despite billions of naira committed to defence and security over the years, criminal groups continue to operate freely, carrying out deadly attacks and mass abductions in several parts of the country.
Speaking during the debate, a member of the House, Ibe Osonwa, described the current security response as inadequate and largely reactive despite the enormous public funds appropriated annually for security operations. He reminded the Federal Government of its constitutional responsibility to protect the lives and property of citizens as provided under Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.
Osonwa also lamented the growing attacks on schools, noting that repeated abductions of students across different parts of the country have disrupted education and worsened the out-of-school children crisis. According to him, thousands of children have been forced to abandon their education due to fear of attacks, while many families continue to suffer the trauma of kidnappings.
He further condemned the increasing targeting of schools and places of worship by criminal groups, warning that institutions traditionally regarded as safe spaces have become vulnerable to attacks by terrorists and kidnappers.
According to him, the inability to decisively defeat bandits and terrorists has created the impression that the government is gradually losing control of some parts of the country to criminal elements.
Also contributing to the debate, Sulaiman Gumi, representing a constituency in Zamfara State, described the security situation in Zamfara and other North-West states as a humanitarian crisis driven by armed banditry, kidnappings and violent criminal activities.
Gumi cited the recent abduction of seven students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, as well as the continued captivity of two senior lecturers of the institution despite the payment of ransom.
Following deliberations, the House resolved to invite the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff and other relevant security chiefs alongside the Minister of Finance to provide details of security funds appropriated and released for military operations. They are also expected to explain the impact of the spending on efforts to combat insecurity.
Lawmakers said the briefing would help Nigerians understand how security funds have been utilised and why the country continues to face persistent security challenges despite substantial investments in the sector.
The House also called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately implement a comprehensive and aggressive security strategy aimed at eliminating bandits and kidnappers from their hideouts, restoring peace in affected communities and securing the release of victims currently held captive by criminal groups.
In addition, lawmakers urged the Minister of Defence to deploy more troops and operational equipment to Zamfara State and other affected North-West states to strengthen ongoing military operations.
The House strongly condemned the continued wave of banditry, kidnappings and attacks on schools and religious centres across the country and resolved to send an urgent appeal to President Tinubu, reminding him of his constitutional duty as Commander-in-Chief to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians.
Lawmakers also advocated non-military approaches to tackling insecurity, urging relevant ministries to implement programmes that address poverty, unemployment and other socio-economic factors contributing to criminal activities.
The committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, Army and other relevant committees were directed to monitor the implementation of the resolutions and report back to the House within two weeks.
The lawmakers maintained that the persistence of insecurity despite massive spending on security raises serious concerns about accountability and effectiveness within the nation’s security architecture, stressing that Nigerians deserve transparency on how public funds allocated for security have been spent and why criminal activities continue to threaten lives and national stability.
Reps Summon Service Chiefs, Finance Minister Over Rising Insecurity Despite Huge Security Spending
