By Seyi Odewale
The House of Representatives on Tuesday issued a stern warning to Nigeria’s military leadership, saying service chiefs should “honourably step aside” if the worsening insecurity across the country continues without visible improvement.
The lawmakers also called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately adopt a tougher and more coordinated security approach to eliminate terrorists, bandits and kidnappers operating in different parts of the country.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Rep. Ibe Osonwa, who represents Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia State, during plenary.
The motion, 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,” drew attention to the escalating security crisis nationwide.
Moving the motion, Osonwa lamented the persistent wave of kidnappings, terrorism, banditry and attacks on defenceless communities, warning that Nigerians were increasingly losing confidence in the country’s security architecture.
He urged the Federal Government to urgently restore safety nationwide, insisting that protecting lives and property remained the government’s primary responsibility.
Citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the lawmaker reminded authorities that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”
Osonwa expressed concern over the growing attacks on schools, saying repeated abductions of students had severely disrupted education and worsened the nation’s out-of-school children crisis.
“The abduction of schoolchildren across several parts of the country has disrupted education and deepened Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis,” he said.
According to him, fear of attacks has forced thousands of pupils out of classrooms, while many affected families continue to suffer psychological and emotional trauma from kidnappings.
He further decried what he described as the systematic targeting of schools and worship centres by criminal groups, warning that institutions once considered safe havens had become vulnerable targets.
Osonwa noted that worshippers now attend religious gatherings under fear of attacks, abductions and killings, a development he said undermines citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of worship and conscience.
The lawmaker also painted a grim picture of the economic impact of insecurity, saying many businesses had shut down, farming communities abandoned, and several families plunged into poverty.
He argued that the government’s response to insecurity appeared largely reactive and inadequate to dismantle criminal networks operating across the country.
According to him, the inability to decisively confront terrorists and bandits was creating the impression that criminal elements were gradually taking control of parts of the country.
After deliberating on the motion, the House condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the continued incidents of banditry, mass abductions and attacks on schools and churches nationwide.
The lawmakers resolved to send what they described as “an urgent and solemn appeal” to President Tinubu, reminding him of his oath as Commander-in-Chief 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 criminal hideouts and secure vulnerable schools and places of worship across the country.
The lawmakers also pledged support for efforts aimed at ensuring the unconditional release of all Nigerians currently held captive by criminal groups.
In addition, the House mandated its Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, as well as the Committee on Army, to intensify oversight on the implementation of the resolutions and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.
