Legislators demand swift government action to tackle mounting security concerns.
The House of Representatives yesterday issued a stark warning, saying that Nigerians may revolt if the Federal Government fails to urgently address the escalating insecurity in the country. This warning comes in the wake of a surge in violent attacks, especially in recent weeks, and calls for more decisive actions to curb the crisis.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also weighed in on the situation, noting that both the growing insecurity and the country’s troubled economy are severely testing the patience of Nigerians. Speaking to his colleagues, Akpabio urged the Senate to act swiftly, with legislative solutions to ease the suffering of the populace.
Lawmakers from regions plagued by insurgency and attacks by herdsmen led the debate, accusing the Presidency of doing too little, despite over N19.7 trillion being spent on security since 2015. They expressed frustration over the government’s failure to bring the situation under control.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the Presidency proved unsuccessful, as the President’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, referred inquiries to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu. Attempts to contact Ribadu for a response also went unanswered.
The debate in the House was sparked by an urgent motion introduced by Representative Ahmed Satomi, calling attention to a recent fire at the Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri and the growing attacks on military bases in Borno and Yobe states.
“We May Not Be Safe” – Lawmakers Speak Out
The motion soon escalated into a tense debate, with emotional testimonies and warnings from several lawmakers. Some argued that if the government did not act immediately to address the security crisis, Nigerians might take matters into their own hands and revolt against their elected leaders.
Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau) chastised those minimizing the severity of the crisis, warning that the people could eventually turn against their representatives if the government failed to deliver solutions. “Nigerians are being killed, and if action is not taken, we may soon be attacked, not by Boko Haram, but by the very people who elected us,” Gagdi declared.
“There will come a time when Nigerians will take their destiny into their own hands,” he added. “We must act now, or we will not be safe in this country.”
Chilling Testimonies from the Frontlines
Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno), whose constituency includes Chibok, gave a harrowing account of Boko Haram’s ongoing violence. He detailed the slaughter of 10 farmers in Pulka and 14 others in Chibok, as well as the increasing use of weaponized drones by the insurgents.
“We are outgunned and undermanned,” Jaha said, emphasizing that despite the government’s claim of spending over N19.7 trillion on security from 2015 to 2019, Boko Haram has only grown stronger. “We need serious oversight,” he urged.
Jaha also highlighted the increasing sophistication of Boko Haram’s attacks, with insurgents now using drones, a technology the Nigerian military does not have.
Foreign Fighters and Military Shortages
Zainab Gimba (APC, Borno) further corroborated reports of foreign fighters and advanced weaponry in recent attacks. She recounted an incident where 20 soldiers were killed in an ambush, revealing that the insurgents included foreign fighters, some of whom were reportedly white.
She also criticized the placement of military installations within city centers, citing the recent explosion at Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri, which caused widespread panic. Gimba proposed relocating military bases outside urban areas to prevent further catastrophes.
Calls for Self-Defense and Legislative Action
Shettima Ali (APC, Yobe) joined the debate with a call for legislative reform, urging the House to pass laws allowing citizens to protect themselves. “The security forces are insufficient and unfamiliar with the terrain of our communities,” Ali said. “Our people are dying, and we need to empower them to defend themselves.”
In a more measured tone, Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos) criticized the government’s handling of security spending, arguing that the funds allocated to the military have not yielded the desired results.
House Takes Action: Investigation and Oversight
The House of Representatives resolved to investigate the cause of the fire at the Giwa Barracks armoury and to review security protocols at military installations. They also called for strengthened security operations in Borno and Yobe states to protect both military personnel and civilians, as well as providing support and compensation to the families of fallen soldiers.
A formal investigation has been assigned to the Committees on Army, Defence, and National Security, which are expected to report back within weeks.
Senate President Calls for Urgent Legislative Action
Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio also expressed concern over the nation’s rising security challenges and economic instability, which he said are testing the limits of Nigerian citizens’ patience. In his address to the Senate, Akpabio reminded lawmakers that the public is watching their every move.
“The people are looking to us for action, not rhetoric,” Akpabio warned. “The rising cost of living, the instability in the energy sector, and the persistent insecurity demand not just attention but urgent legislative action.”
Akpabio also emphasized the need for the Senate to support the executive branch’s efforts in tackling these challenges, urging lawmakers to focus on the national interest, not partisan divides.
“The task ahead of us is historic,” he said. “We are under watch — by the people, by the world, and by history itself.”
A Call to Action
Akpabio concluded with a call to action for his colleagues, urging them to act with integrity and patriotism in the face of the nation’s pressing challenges. “We are here to serve the people, not to be served. The Nigerian people are counting on us.”
