By Caroline Ameh | Abuja
The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the worsening insecurity in parts of Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States, resolving to probe the alleged withdrawal of military personnel from a Kebbi school hours before a major abduction.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Deputy Majority Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru, who described the escalating attacks on schools, worship centres, and rural communities as a national emergency requiring immediate federal action.
Senators Decry Widening Attacks
Lawmakers lamented the November 18 attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, where gunmen killed two worshippers and abducted 38 others, all later rescued in coordinated security operations.
They noted that the attack led to the temporary closure of schools in five local government areas across Kwara, as well as parts of Niger and Kebbi States, affecting 47 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.
The Senate also condemned the growing pattern of school kidnappings, including recent abductions in Niger and Kebbi States, warning that educational and religious institutions had become increasingly vulnerable to banditry and terrorism.
Controversy Over Troop Withdrawal
Lawmakers were particularly alarmed by credible reports that military personnel were withdrawn from Government Girls’ Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, just hours before the abduction of 24 female students.
They demanded a transparent investigation into the decision and those responsible.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) urged his colleagues to confront insecurity “head-on and without reference to the past.”
He insisted that the Senate must uncover who authorised the withdrawal of troops from the school before the attack.
Abaribe’s position was strongly supported by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senator Seriake Dickson, and other lawmakers, who called for urgent and coordinated security action.
Intelligence Points to Internal Sabotage
The motion also cited intelligence reports indicating that internal collaborators continue to aid criminal networks with logistics, information, and escape routes.
Senators warned that terrorists were exploiting forest corridors such as the Kwara–Kogi axis, Kebbi–Zamfara stretch, and Niger’s Shiroro–Rafi–Munya belt to carry out attacks and evade arrest.
They further raised concern over the deplorable state of the Idofian–Omu-Aran–Eruku–Egbe–Kabba highway, which they said provides bandits with ambush points, easy escape routes, and concealment within thick forests.
Tinubu Commended for Swift Response
Earlier, Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele cautioned against rising public speculation over the release of kidnap victims, urging a review of the performance of Senate security committees.
He reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration does not and will not support ransom payments to abductors.
The Senate commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as his “swift and personal intervention,” including cancelling planned foreign trips to coordinate national security efforts.
It also lauded security agencies for the rescue of 38 abductees in Kwara and 51 students in Niger State.
Key Resolutions
The Senate resolved to:
- Urge communities in Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, and across the country to remain vigilant and expose collaborators aiding criminal groups.
- Commend President Tinubu and security agencies for swift interventions while calling for sustained rescue operations until all abductees are freed.
- Mandate the immediate reconstruction of the Idofian–Omu-Aran–Eruku–Egbe–Kabba highway to curb ambushes and improve mobility for security forces.
- Direct the Army, Police, DSS, and Defence Intelligence Bureau to intensify intelligence-driven operations, forest combing, and cross-state collaboration.
- Establish a Joint Task Force (JTF) along the Kwara–Kogi corridor with forward operating bases in Eruku, Babanla, Oke-Ero, and Isanlu.
- Instruct the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and NEMA to provide relief materials to affected families where schools remain closed.
- Launch a 14-day Senate investigation into the surge in insecurity, including the alleged role of internal collaborators.
- Strengthen local vigilante networks and review Nigeria’s firearms laws in line with global best practices.
- Conduct a separate probe into the troop withdrawal from the Kebbi school before the abduction.
- Pursue diplomatic engagement with the U.S. and allied nations to improve intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism support.
- Observe a two-minute silence in honour of all victims of recent attacks.