Reps Summon NSA, Defence, Finance Officials Over Rising Insecurity, Kidnappings
By Rita Onuoha
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
The House of Representatives has summoned the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, and the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to provide explanations over the increasing wave of kidnappings and insecurity affecting several parts of Nigeria.
Lawmakers are expected to seek details on funds released to the Ministry of Defence within the last six months and assess how such allocations have translated into security outcomes across the country amid growing public concerns.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, Sulaiman Gumi, during Tuesday's plenary session.
Presenting the motion, Gumi expressed concern over the worsening security situation in Zamfara State and the wider North-West region, stating that persistent attacks by armed groups have triggered humanitarian challenges and deepened the economic hardship faced by affected communities.
He noted that the security crisis has spread across several North-West states, including Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, and Jigawa, where residents continue to face attacks, displacement, and loss of livelihoods.
The lawmaker recalled that on May 31, 2026, 17 residents were reportedly killed when armed bandits riding motorcycles attacked Dangulbi community in Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State. He added that more than 15 communities in Tureta and neighbouring Sabon Birni Local Government Area have reportedly been abandoned because of repeated attacks.
Gumi also referenced the reported abduction of a former Director of Defence Information of the Nigerian Army, Major General Rabe Abubakar Batsari (retd.), and his wife, who were allegedly kidnapped after their vehicle was ambushed along the Marabar Musawa-Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State on May 30, 2026.
According to him, about 50 elderly men were also abducted in Zamfara State on Monday and remain in captivity, underscoring the urgency of stronger security interventions.
He further highlighted continued attacks in Kaduna State, particularly in Kachia, Sanga, and Birnin-Gwari Local Government Areas, while noting that rural communities bordering Katsina State in Kano have experienced fatalities, livestock theft, and abductions linked to bandit activities.
The lawmaker warned that the continued movement of armed groups across communities and state boundaries without effective containment poses a serious threat to national security and could further undermine the socio-economic stability of the region.
Contributing to the debate, the member representing Kazaure/Roni/Gwiwa/Yankwashi Federal Constituency of Jigawa State, Abubakar Yalleman, called on the National Assembly to accelerate legislative efforts toward the establishment of state police as part of broader security reforms.
His position received support from Olumide Osoba, who represents Abeokuta North/Obafemi-Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency of Ogun State.
Also speaking, Babajimi Benson, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State, urged the Federal Government to revisit aspects of the cashless policy, arguing that limiting cash transactions could make ransom payments more difficult and discourage kidnapping for financial gain.
Similarly, Ademorin Kuye, representing Shomolu Federal Constituency of Lagos State, advocated stricter regulation of Bureau De Change operators and proposed the formal prohibition of ransom payments as part of measures to combat illicit financial flows associated with kidnapping.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House resolved to invite the affected government officials on a date to be announced while urging the Minister of Defence to deploy additional security personnel and operational assets to Zamfara State and other parts of the North-West.
The lawmakers also called on the Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, Education, Humanitarian Affairs, and Disaster Management to develop complementary non-kinetic strategies aimed at addressing the root causes of insecurity and supporting affected communities.
The House subsequently mandated its Committee on Defence and other relevant committees to monitor compliance with the resolutions and report back within two weeks for further legislative consideration.
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