By Kamsi Anayo
The House of Representatives has urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately deploy a comprehensive and aggressive security strategy to flush out bandits and kidnappers from their hideouts and restore safety across the country amid worsening insecurity.
The call followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Ibe Osonwa, who represents Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia State, during plenary on Tuesday.
Moving the motion titled “A call for immediate executive action on the surge in banditry, the daily abduction of schoolchildren, and the perilous security situation in Nigerian schools and places of worship,” Osonwa expressed concern over the escalating wave of kidnappings, banditry and attacks on vulnerable communities nationwide.
The lawmaker reminded the Federal Government of its constitutional responsibility to protect citizens, citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which provides that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”
He lamented the growing trend of attacks on schools, noting that “the abduction of schoolchildren in several parts of the country has disrupted education and deepened Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis.”
According to him, “thousands of children have been forced out of classrooms due to fear of attacks, while many families continue to grapple with the trauma of kidnappings and prolonged captivity of loved ones.”
Osonwa further decried what he described as the systematic targeting of schools and places of worship by criminal elements, warning that institutions traditionally regarded as safe havens have increasingly become soft targets for bandits and kidnappers.
He said worshippers across the country now face the risk of attacks, abductions and killings while observing religious activities, a situation he noted undermines citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
Following deliberations, the House condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the continued banditry, mass abductions and attacks on schools and churches across Nigeria.
The lawmakers resolved to transmit “an urgent and solemn appeal” to President Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
The House specifically demanded the immediate deployment of “an aggressive, unrelenting and comprehensive security strategy” to dismantle bandits’ strongholds, secure vulnerable schools and places of worship, and ensure the unconditional release of citizens held captive by criminal groups.
