The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take immediate and decisive action to halt the escalating killings, kidnappings and displacement across Northern Nigeria.
The caucus, in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Leader, Hon. Fredrick Agbedi, and spokesperson, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, said the worsening security situation had become intolerable and required an urgent, intelligence-led and sustained military response.
The lawmakers cited recent attacks across Plateau, Niger, Sokoto, Kaduna, Katsina and Borno states, which they said had resulted in scores of deaths, abductions and the displacement of residents.
According to the caucus, more than 20 people were killed in recent attacks in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, including at least 23 victims in one incident.
It also said armed men attacked communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State and abducted more than 60 worshippers during Friday prayers.
In Sokoto State, the lawmakers cited the killing of at least 40 people in Ungushi community, Kebbe Local Government Area, including the Chief Imam, Imam Aliyu.
They further reported that at least 30 people were killed in an attack on Naridon village in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, while continued bandit attacks and reprisals in Katsina had heightened fear among residents.
The caucus also expressed concern over schoolchildren abducted in Borno State who have remained in captivity for months.
“This is no longer a situation that can be addressed principally through statements of condemnation after every attack,” the lawmakers said, calling for a comprehensive security operation to reclaim territories controlled by terrorists and criminal gangs.
They 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 affected areas to be placed under intensive security operations, with security forces directed to dominate the territories and conduct sustained operations against terrorist and bandit hideouts, forests and criminal enclaves.
“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,” they said.
Clarifying that the proposed lockdown should target criminals rather than civilians, the caucus said the government must deny terrorists and bandits freedom of movement, disrupt their supply lines and communications, and deploy overwhelming force against them.
The lawmakers also urged Tinubu to visit Zamfara State and Illela to engage directly with communities affected by insecurity, saying Nigerians needed to see the President physically present in areas ravaged by attacks and abductions.
$5bn Security Funding
The Minority Caucus proposed an extraordinary funding intervention for the security campaign, urging the Federal Government to consider drawing $5 billion from the nation’s external reserves if necessary.
“If funding is an issue, the government should draw $5 billion from the nation’s external reserves for an extraordinary national security intervention,” the lawmakers said.
They argued that the protection of lives and livelihoods should remain the government’s foremost responsibility.
The caucus welcomed the recent increase in the salaries of members of the Armed Forces, describing the move as important to improving the welfare and morale of troops.
However, it urged the President to immediately forward the necessary amendment to the 2026 Appropriation Act and a Supplementary Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly.
The lawmakers said the National Assembly should be ready to reconvene, if necessary, to ensure that the salary increase is implemented without bureaucratic delays.
El-Rufai’s 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 went beyond El-Rufai, arguing that his detention raised questions about 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 further questioned the government’s commitment to an even-handed anti-corruption drive, citing the involvement of individuals facing corruption allegations and public controversy in the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
According to the lawmakers, such circumstances could undermine public confidence in the administration’s anti-corruption campaign.
The caucus called on the President to move beyond condolences and take concrete steps to protect citizens, defeat terrorists and bandits, and secure the affected communities.
“The bloodshed in Northern Nigeria must stop. The abducted must be rescued. The terrorists and bandits must be defeated,” the lawmakers said.
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