The House of Representatives on Tuesday warned the nation’s service chiefs to resign honorably if they fail to reverse the deteriorating security situation and restore public confidence within a clear timeframe.
The lawmakers also urged President Bola Tinubu to deploy a comprehensive, aggressive military strategy to flush out bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers from their strongholds across Nigeria.
This resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Rep. Ibe Osonwa (Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Abia).
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,” the motion reinforced widespread national demands for the presidency to decisively restore safety.
He expressed concern over the escalating wave of kidnappings, banditry, terrorism and attacks on vulnerable communities nationwide.
Osonwa reminded the federal government of its constitutional responsibility to protect citizens, citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The lawmaker explained that the section as cited provides that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”
He lamented the growing trend of attacks on schools, noting that “the abduction of schoolchildren across several parts of the country has disrupted education and deepened Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis.
According to him, thousands of children have been forced out of classrooms due to fear of attacks, while many families continue to grapple with the trauma of kidnappings.
Osonwa decried the systematic targeting of schools and places of worship by criminal elements, warning that institutions traditionally regarded as safe havens have increasingly become soft targets for bandits and kidnappers.
He said worshippers across the country now face the risk of attacks, abductions and killings while observing religious activities, which undermines citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
The lawmaker also painted a grim picture of the economic consequences of insecurity, stating that “many businesses have shut down, farming communities have been deserted and families plunged into poverty.”
Osonwa argued that the current security response appeared largely reactive and insufficient to stem the operations of criminal groups.
He warned that the apparent inability to decisively confront bandits and terrorists had created the impression that the government was losing control of parts of the country to criminal elements.
Following deliberations, the House condemned in “the strongest possible terms” the continued banditry, mass abductions and attacks on schools and churches across Nigeria.
The lawmakers resolved to transmit “an urgent and solemn appeal” to President Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, “reminding him of his oath to protect the lives and property of Nigerians”.
The House specifically demanded the immediate deployment of “an aggressive, unrelenting and comprehensive security strategy” to dismantle bandits’ strongholds, secure vulnerable schools and places of worship.
They also pledged to ensure the unconditional release of citizens held captive by criminal groups.
To ensure compliance, the House mandated its Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, and Army to step up oversight regarding the implementation of these resolutions and report back within two weeks.
Nigeria continues to grapple with a complex array of security crises, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping-for-ransom, and communal clashes, which have severely impacted the North-West, North-Central, and North-East regions.
The frequent mass abductions of students from schools in states like Kaduna, Niger, and Zamfara remain a major flashpoint, drawing sharp condemnation both at home and abroad.
This ongoing vulnerability has fueled persistent demands for reinforced security frameworks to protect learning institutions and at-risk communities.