The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take immediate and decisive measures to end the rising wave of terrorism, banditry, killings and abductions across Northern Nigeria.
The lawmakers also proposed the withdrawal of $5 billion from the nation’s external reserves to fund an extraordinary security intervention, arguing that protecting lives and livelihoods must remain the government’s foremost responsibility.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by Minority Leader, Hon. Fredrick Agbedi, and Minority Caucus spokesperson, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, the lawmakers described the deteriorating security situation as unacceptable.
They cited recent attacks in Plateau, Niger, Sokoto, Kaduna, Katsina and other northern states, where residents had reportedly been killed, abducted or displaced.
The caucus said more than 20 people were killed in recent attacks in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, including at least 23 people in one incident.
It also cited an attack on communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State in which more than 60 worshippers were reportedly abducted during Friday prayers.
The lawmakers further alleged that at least 40 people were killed in Ungushi community, Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State, including the Chief Imam, Imam Aliyu.
In Kaduna, the caucus said at least 30 people were killed during an attack on Naridon village in Kaura Local Government Area.
The lawmakers also expressed concern over schoolchildren in Borno State who have remained missing months after their abduction.
“This is no longer a situation that can be addressed principally through statements of condemnation after every attack,” the caucus said.
It called for an intelligence-led and sustained response and urged President Tinubu to replicate on a larger scale the strategy that led to the rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The lawmakers called for intensive security operations in affected areas and directed security agencies to dominate the territories while conducting sustained operations against terrorist and bandit hideouts.
“We are calling on the President to lock down the affected theatres of operation, dominate the territory and sweep the forests, hideouts and criminal enclaves where terrorists and bandits operate.
Such an operation must be intelligence-led, professionally executed and sustained until the criminal elements are neutralised and the abducted citizens rescued,” the caucus said.
It clarified that the proposed lockdown should target criminal networks and not innocent citizens.
“We are not asking the President to lock down innocent Nigerians. We are asking the Commander-in-Chief to lock down the operational space of terrorists and bandits, deny them freedom of movement, cut off their supply lines and communications and deploy overwhelming force against those who have turned parts of the North into killing fields and centres of mass abduction,” the lawmakers added.
The caucus also urged Tinubu to visit Zamfara State and travel to Illela to meet communities affected by insecurity.
It argued that the President’s physical presence in affected communities would demonstrate his commitment to protecting citizens and reassure victims.
On funding, the lawmakers said financial constraints should not hinder the fight against terrorism and banditry.
“If funding is an issue, the government should draw $5 billion from the nation’s external reserves for an extraordinary national security intervention. The primary purpose of government is the welfare and security of the people and no expenditure can be more fundamental than protecting the lives and livelihoods of Nigerian citizens,” they said.
The caucus welcomed the recent increase in the salaries of members of the Armed Forces, describing it as an important step towards improving military welfare and morale.
It, however, urged the President to forward the necessary amendment to the 2026 Appropriation Act and a Supplementary Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly to facilitate implementation.
The lawmakers said the National Assembly should be prepared to reconvene if necessary to ensure that the salary increase was implemented without delay.
El-Rufai detention
The Minority Caucus also demanded the immediate release of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, describing his continued detention as increasingly resembling political persecution.
The lawmakers said their concern extended beyond El-Rufai to the credibility and consistency of the Federal Government’s anti-corruption campaign.
“Our concern is not merely about one individual. It is about the credibility and consistency of the Federal Government’s anti-corruption campaign,” the caucus said.
It questioned the government’s anti-corruption stance, citing the involvement of individuals facing corruption allegations and public controversies in the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
“It is difficult for the government to demand public confidence in its anti-corruption campaign when the political architecture through which the President seeks the mandate of Nigerians included individuals whose records and allegations have raised serious questions about the integrity of that campaign,” the lawmakers said.
The caucus urged the government to move beyond condolences and take concrete measures to protect citizens.
“The bloodshed in Northern Nigeria must stop. The abducted must be rescued. The terrorists and bandits must be defeated,” it declared.
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