Reps urge Tinubu to flush out bandits, kidnappers from hideouts

The House of Representatives has called on President Bola Tinubu to deploy a comprehensive and aggressive security strategy to combat bandits and kidnappers across Nigeria. The lawmakers' plea follows the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance, highlighting the worsening insecurity nationwide.

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The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

Ibe Osonwa, representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, moved the motion, expressing deep concern over the escalating wave of kidnappings, banditry, and attacks on vulnerable communities. He reminded the Federal Government of its constitutional duty to protect citizens, citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which emphasizes the primary purpose of government as the security and welfare of the people.

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The abduction of schoolchildren across several parts of the country has disrupted education and deepened Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis.

Osonwa lamented the increasing attacks on schools, noting that the abduction of schoolchildren has disrupted education and worsened Nigeria's out-of-school children crisis. He stated that thousands of children are kept out of classrooms due to fear, while many families suffer the trauma of kidnappings and prolonged captivity of loved ones. The lawmaker also decried the targeting of places of worship, turning traditionally safe havens into soft targets for criminal elements.

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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.”

The House warned that the current security architecture, despite significant budgetary allocations, appears reactive and insufficient. They expressed concern that the inability to decisively confront criminal groups could foster the impression that the government is losing control in parts of the country. The economic consequences of insecurity were also highlighted, with businesses shutting down, farming communities deserted, and families plunged into poverty due to ransom payments.

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Many businesses have shut down, farming communities have been deserted and families plunged into poverty as they struggle to raise ransom payments for abducted relatives.