KEY POINTS
- The House of Representatives has summoned top security and finance officials over rising kidnappings and alleged gaps in defence spending.
- Lawmakers cited multiple deadly attacks across Zamfara and the North-West, including mass killings, abductions, and deserted communities.
- Parliament is pushing for reforms such as state police, tighter financial controls, and improved coordination of national security responses.
The House of Representatives has summoned the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa, and the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, over the surge in insecurity across parts of Nigeria.
Lawmakers are demanding a detailed breakdown of funds released to the Ministry of Defence over the past six months, alongside explanations for what they describe as a lack of visible improvement in national security.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Sulaiman Gumi, who represents the Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, during plenary on Tuesday.
Presenting the motion, Gumi painted a grim picture of escalating violence in Zamfara and across the North-West, saying the region is facing a deepening humanitarian crisis driven by sustained bandit attacks.
He told lawmakers that between June 1 and 6, 2026, armed groups on about 250 motorcycles invaded communities in Gummi/Bukkuyum and parts of Sokoto border villages, killing 93 people.
He also highlighted the abduction of seven students from the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, as well as earlier kidnappings of lecturers who were held for months despite ransom payments.
Other incidents cited included attacks in Zurmi Local Government Area, where residents were killed and travellers abducted, and the killing of two abducted officials in Talata Marafa after ransom demands were reportedly rejected.
Wider Security Collapse Across the North-West
Gumi extended his concerns to other states in the region, including Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Jigawa, saying bandit activities have intensified and spread across rural communities.
He referenced the killing of 17 villagers in Sokoto State’s Tureta Local Government Area, the kidnapping of a retired senior military officer and his wife in Katsina, and the abduction of about 50 elderly men in Zamfara.
He warned that unchecked movement of armed groups across state lines was undermining national security and worsening socio-economic conditions.
During the debate, several lawmakers proposed structural reforms to address insecurity.
Abubakar Yalleman from Jigawa called for the fast-tracking of state police legislation, a position supported by other members of the House.
Babajimi Benson of Lagos urged a review of the cashless policy, arguing that ransom payments are often difficult to trace through bank systems.
Ademorin Kuye also called for tighter regulation of Bureau De Change operators and a formal ban on ransom payments, alongside stronger monitoring of financial flows linked to kidnapping.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House resolved to summon security and finance officials for questioning at a date to be announced.
Lawmakers also urged the Defence Minister to deploy more personnel and equipment to the North-West, particularly Zamfara State, to curb attacks.
In addition, ministries responsible for agriculture, environment, education, and humanitarian affairs were directed to explore non-kinetic strategies to support security efforts.
The House Committee on Defence and other relevant committees were mandated to review compliance and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.