The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday commended President Bola Tinubu and security agencies for their coordinated efforts in rescuing hostages abducted in recent attacks across Kwara and Niger States. Lawmakers, however, cautioned that the rising wave of insecurity targeting schools and religious centers has reached alarming proportions.
The commendation followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Asiru Yisa (Kwara South), titled “Urgent Need to Address Escalating Insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States – Call for Immediate and Comprehensive Federal Intervention.” Yisa expressed deep concern over the attack on Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, Kwara State, where armed assailants killed two worshippers and abducted 38 others. All abducted victims have since regained freedom following security operations.
Lawmakers also raised alarm over the withdrawal of military personnel from a school in Kebbi State just hours before bandits struck, abducting dozens of students. This incident, they argued, underscores lapses in deployment transparency and the urgent need for systemic reforms in Nigeria’s security architecture.
President Tinubu had earlier welcomed the release of 24 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, and directed security agencies to intensify operations to free remaining captives still held by bandits. He emphasized that the government would not relent until all victims of abduction are rescued TheCable.
The Senate’s resolution reflects both relief at the successful rescues and frustration at recurring attacks. Lawmakers urged the federal government to:
Recruit additional military and police personnel to strengthen national security.
Ensure transparency in security deployments to prevent lapses that embolden attackers.
Prioritize the protection of schools and worship centers, which have become frequent targets of bandits.
In a related development, Tinubu declared a national security emergency, authorizing the recruitment of 20,000 additional police officers and redeployment of personnel from VIP protection duties to troubled areas. The DSS was also directed to deploy trained forest guards to clear terrorists and bandits from forests nationwide Naija News.
The Senate’s dual stance—praising Tinubu while demanding urgent reforms—illustrates Nigeria’s delicate balance between celebrating short-term victories and confronting systemic insecurity. For affected communities, the rescues bring relief, but the broader challenge of safeguarding vulnerable populations remains pressing.
