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This week, members of Nigeria’s National Assembly voiced strong dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu‘s handling of the escalating banditry crisis plaguing various regions of the country.
Unprecedented Unity Among Lawmakers Against Negotiation
In a rare display of bipartisan consensus, senators and representatives collectively condemned the Federal Government’s approach, particularly the notion of engaging in talks with armed groups responsible for mass kidnappings. Many legislators argued that negotiating with these criminal factions undermines national security and could potentially encourage further attacks.
The uproar was intensified by recent incidents, such as the withdrawal of military forces from vulnerable zones that were subsequently targeted, including the tragic abduction of 24 students and the killing of a school official in Kebbi State. Lawmakers expressed concern that such decisions send a dangerous signal, implying that violence can coerce government concessions.
Tinubu Initiates Nationwide Security Emergency
Prior to the parliamentary outcry, President Tinubu had declared a state of emergency on security across Nigeria. He mandated security agencies to bolster their ranks and intensify deployments in high-risk areas. Additionally, he advocated for the establishment of state police forces, emphasizing that localized security units could respond more swiftly and effectively to threats.
This declaration came on the heels of alarming attacks, including the kidnapping of over 300 students and staff from St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, following closely after the Kebbi abduction. The severity of these events prompted several northern states-such as Yobe, Adamawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Katsina, Taraba, Niger, and Kwara-to close schools temporarily. The Federal Government also suspended operations at 41 Federal Unity Colleges as a precautionary measure.
Why Legislators Reject Negotiation Tactics
Despite official claims that no ransom was paid and that abductors used hostages as “human shields,” many senators criticized the government’s approach as insufficiently resolute. They warned that engaging with bandits could embolden them, fostering a perception of control that exacerbates public fear and insecurity.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe demanded transparency regarding the military’s withdrawal from Kebbi, insisting that the government must be held accountable. Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged caution against framing the violence through a religious lens, emphasizing that the attacks indiscriminately affect all Nigerians regardless of faith. Other lawmakers called for harsher penalties, including capital punishment for kidnappers, underscoring the need for a robust deterrent against organized criminal violence.
Urgent Calls for Comprehensive Security Reforms
Beyond criticism, there was consensus on the necessity for sweeping reforms within Nigeria’s security architecture. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele proposed a thorough review of the Senate’s security oversight mechanisms, while Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin appealed for international collaboration to strengthen Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.
In a related development, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal reignited debate by asserting his knowledge of bandit hideouts and claiming he could eradicate banditry within two months if granted direct command over security forces. This statement indirectly advocates for devolving greater security authority to state governors.
The palpable frustration in the National Assembly mirrors the widespread anxiety felt by Nigerian citizens. Parents worry about their children’s safety, schools remain shuttered, and communities grapple with uncertainty. While President Tinubu’s declaration of a security emergency signals a commitment to action, many Nigerians and lawmakers alike insist that the government’s strategy must be more transparent, decisive, and accountable to restore public confidence and stability.
