The House of Representatives has summoned the nation’s Service Chiefs and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy to provide a detailed breakdown of funds allocated and released for security operations, amid growing concerns over the worsening insecurity across the country despite huge defence budgets.
The resolution was reached during plenary after lawmakers adopted motions addressing the increasing wave of banditry, kidnappings and attacks on communities, schools and places of worship, particularly in the North-West region.
Members of the House expressed alarm that despite billions of naira committed to security over the years, criminal groups continue to carry out deadly attacks and mass abductions with little resistance.
Leading the debate, Hon. Ibe Osonwa (LP, Abia) lamented the persistent attacks on schools and the rising number of kidnappings, warning that the situation was worsening Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis and exposing communities to fear and psychological trauma.
He argued that the country’s security response remained largely reactive and insufficient despite significant public funds appropriated annually for defence and security operations.
Osonwa reminded the Federal Government of its constitutional responsibility to safeguard lives and property, citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
According to him, repeated attacks on schools have disrupted education in many parts of the country, forcing thousands of children out of classrooms and leaving families traumatised by abductions and insecurity.
The lawmaker further condemned the growing trend of targeting schools and places of worship, warning that institutions once considered safe havens have become vulnerable to attacks by terrorists and kidnappers.
He noted that the inability to decisively tackle criminal groups has created a perception that parts of the country are gradually slipping out of government control.
Also speaking, Hon. Sulaiman Gumi (APC, Zamfara) raised concerns over the worsening security situation in Zamfara and other North-West states, describing it as a humanitarian crisis fuelled by banditry, kidnappings and violent criminal activities.
Gumi cited the recent abduction of seven students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, as well as the continued detention of two senior lecturers of the institution despite ransom payments reportedly made for their release.
Following deliberations, the House resolved to invite the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff and other relevant security chiefs, alongside the Finance Minister, to explain the exact amount appropriated and released for security operations and the impact of the spending on efforts to combat insecurity.
Lawmakers said the briefing would enable Nigerians to understand how security funds have been utilised and why the expected results have not been achieved.
Reps Urge Tinubu to Intensify Security Operations
The House also called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately adopt a more comprehensive and aggressive security strategy aimed at flushing bandits and kidnappers out of their hideouts, restoring peace in affected communities and securing the release of citizens still being held captive.
In addition, lawmakers urged the Minister of Defence to deploy more troops, equipment and operational resources to Zamfara State and other troubled areas in the North-West to strengthen ongoing military operations.
The House strongly condemned the continued incidents of banditry, mass abductions and attacks on schools and religious centres across the country.
Members resolved to send an urgent appeal to President Tinubu, reminding him of his constitutional responsibility as Commander-in-Chief to protect the lives and property of Nigerians.
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Beyond military action, the lawmakers advocated non-kinetic measures to address the root causes of insecurity. They urged the ministries of agriculture, education, environment and humanitarian affairs to implement programmes that would tackle poverty, unemployment and other socio-economic conditions that contribute to criminality.
The House mandated its Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence, Army and other relevant committees to monitor the implementation of the resolutions and report back within two weeks.
Lawmakers stressed that the persistence of insecurity despite massive security spending raises serious concerns about accountability and effectiveness within the nation’s security framework.
They maintained that Nigerians deserve transparency on how public funds allocated to security have been spent and why banditry, kidnappings and terrorist attacks continue to threaten lives, livelihoods and national stability.
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