The House of Representatives on Tuesday summoned Nigeria’s Service Chiefs and the Minister of Finance to appear before it and provide a detailed briefing on funds released to the military, amid growing concerns over worsening insecurity across the country despite heavy budgetary allocations to the defence sector.
Lawmakers said the decision followed the adoption of motions addressing the rising wave of banditry, kidnappings, and violent attacks on communities, schools, and places of worship nationwide, with particular concern over the North-West region.
During the debate, legislators expressed frustration that despite significant financial investments in security operations, criminal groups continue to carry out attacks with relative ease across several states.
Contributing to the motion, Ibe Osonwa lamented the growing incidents of kidnappings and school attacks, warning that the trend is worsening Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis and deepening fear in vulnerable communities.
He argued that the current security response remains largely reactive and insufficient, despite consistent budgetary allocations to defence and internal security.
Another lawmaker, Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi, described the situation in the North-West as a humanitarian crisis driven by armed banditry and mass abductions.
He referenced the recent kidnapping of seven students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, as well as the continued captivity of two lecturers despite reported ransom payments. He also cited repeated attacks across Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, and Jigawa states, noting that many communities have been abandoned due to insecurity.
Following deliberations, the House resolved to invite top security officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, and other relevant security chiefs, alongside the Minister of Finance, to account for funds appropriated and released for military operations.
Lawmakers said the briefing is intended to clarify how security funds are being utilized and why the impact on the ground remains limited despite sustained expenditure.
They also called on President Bola Tinubu to adopt a more aggressive and coordinated national security strategy aimed at dismantling bandit strongholds and securing the release of abducted citizens.
In addition, the House urged the Minister of Defence to deploy more troops and equipment to Zamfara and other affected North-West states to strengthen ongoing operations.
Lawmakers also emphasized the need for non-military interventions, calling on ministries responsible for agriculture, education, environment, and humanitarian affairs to implement programmes aimed at addressing the socio-economic drivers of insecurity.
They mandated relevant House committees on defence, national security, and intelligence to oversee implementation of the resolutions and report back within two weeks.
