The Senate has begun a heated debate on Nigeria’s worsening security situation following a motion by Lola Ashiru from Kwara South, on the urgent need to address escalating insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger states, and the call for immediate and comprehensive federal intervention.
The motion highlighted recent attacks, including the abduction of schoolchildren in Kebbi, and concerns about military withdrawals and compromised operations.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin said the security challenges confronting the nation are surmountable but require international support.
“We should seek assistance from overseas, urging collaboration with global partners to stem the crisis,” he said.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, in his argument, described the current wave of insecurity as a turning point that must not be treated as business as usual.
Bamidele warned that the nation risks losing control unless decisive action is taken.
While he welcomed the safe rescue of abducted captives, the lawmaker expressed concern that no information was provided on the terrorists neutralized in the process.
Referencing Tuesday’s debate in the House of Representatives, where some lawmakers suggested shutting down the National Assembly, the Senate Leader cautioned legislators to avoid grandstanding.
Senator Bamidele described the argument as an attempt to abdicate responsibility. He also challenged the Senate to examine its own internal structures.
“If we are calling on the President to rejig the security architecture, we must also look into our own arrangement.
I am not impressed with our Committee on Security and Intelligence. We should rejig it ourselves,” he said.
Opposition lawmaker Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe criticised attempts to blame past administrations, insisting that the current government must take responsibility for today’s failures.
Abaribe cited reports that troops withdrew shortly before the attack on the Kebbi school.
He asked, “Who asked them to withdraw? Nobody knows. If I were the Commander-in-Chief, I would demand answers.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio highlighted reports that the location of a brigadier general killed in Borno was compromised, raising fears of internal sabotage.
Akpabio also expressed concern that despite security advisories and defensive training given to students in Kebbi, bandits still invaded the school unhindered.
An uproar erupted after Senator Seriake Dickson warned that Nigeria is losing prestige and integrity “before our eyes,” accusing the majority caucus of managing the issues rather than confronting them.
Dickson’s comments triggered protests from APC lawmakers, leading to his microphone being cut off.
As some lawmakers continued to claim that security agencies know the locations and motives of bandits, Senator Akpabio condemned attempts to frame the crisis along religious or sectional lines.
“This is orchestrated to damage the image of democracy. There is nothing like targeting Muslims or Christians. It is an attack on all. This country is under attack,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senator Adams Oshiomhole defended President Bola Tinubu, saying he is doing his best under difficult circumstances. He demanded a probe into the troop withdrawal before the Kebbi school attack.
“Who ordered the military to withdraw? That person should be tried for terrorism. The Senate has now adopted this demand among its resolutions,” he said.
Oshiomhole also questioned inconsistencies in the justice system, noting that a convicted terrorist named Hassan received a 20-year sentence while people who killed a bandit in self-defence were sentenced to death.
Some lawmakers are pushing for the death penalty to be imposed on kidnappers.