Resign if you can’t end insecurity, Reps tell service chiefs

Nigeria's House of Representatives has called on President Bola Tinubu to implement a comprehensive and aggressive security strategy to eliminate bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers from their hideouts across the country. The lawmakers issued a stern warning: if the administration fails to curb the worsening insecurity and restore public trust within a defined period, the service chiefs should "honourably resign from office."

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if the administration fails to curb insecurity and regain public trust within a defined timeframe, the service chiefs should step down.

This demand followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Rep. Ibe Osonwa, representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency. 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," highlighted the escalating wave of kidnappings, banditry, terrorism, and attacks on vulnerable communities nationwide.

Rep. Osonwa reminded the Federal Government of its constitutional obligation to protect its citizens, citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that "the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government." He expressed grave concern over the increasing attacks on schools, noting that the abduction of schoolchildren has disrupted education and exacerbated Nigeria's out-of-school children crisis. Thousands of children have been forced out of classrooms due to fear, and many families continue to suffer the trauma of kidnappings.

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

The lawmaker also decried the systematic targeting of schools and places of worship, traditionally seen as safe havens, which have become soft targets for criminals. He warned that worshippers now face risks of attacks, abductions, and killings during religious activities, undermining citizens' constitutional rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. The economic consequences of this insecurity are equally dire, with many businesses shut down, farming communities deserted, and families plunged into poverty.

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

Osonwa argued that the current security response appears largely reactive and insufficient to counter the operations of criminal groups. The House's call underscores a growing frustration with the persistent security challenges facing Nigeria and a demand for more decisive action from the executive and military leadership.

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many businesses have shutdown, farming communities have been deserted and families plunged into poverty.