By Mercy Aikoye
The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve an extraordinary $5 billion security intervention from the nation’s external reserves to combat the worsening wave of terrorism, banditry and mass abductions across Northern Nigeria.
The caucus, in a statement signed by its Leader, Hon. Fredrick Agbedi, and spokesperson, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene on Thursday, said the persistent attacks on communities in Plateau, Niger, Sokoto, Kaduna, Katsina and other northern states required urgent and coordinated action from the Federal Government.
The lawmakers said the scale of killings, kidnappings and displacement had reached an unacceptable level, stressing that the government could no longer rely principally on statements condemning attacks after they occur.
They called on the President to deploy an intelligence-led security operation aimed at reclaiming territories allegedly controlled by terrorists and bandits, while disrupting their supply lines, communications and freedom of movement.
According to the caucus, recent attacks illustrate the severity of the security crisis. It cited the killing of more than 20 people in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, including at least 23 victims in one incident, as well as the reported abduction of more than 60 worshippers during Friday prayers in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The lawmakers also referenced the reported killing of at least 40 people, including the Chief Imam, Imam Aliyu, in Ungushi community, Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and the death of about 30 persons in Naridon village, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The caucus further expressed concern over continued attacks and reprisals in Katsina State, as well as the prolonged disappearance of schoolchildren abducted in Borno State.
It urged President Tinubu to replicate on a larger scale the security strategy that recently resulted in the rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The lawmakers said affected communities should be placed under sustained security operations, with security forces mandated to dominate the affected areas and conduct intelligence-driven operations against terrorist and bandit hideouts, forests and criminal enclaves.
The caucus stressed that the proposed security lockdown should focus on the operational territories of criminal groups rather than restricting innocent citizens.
“We are not asking the President to lock down innocent Nigerians. We are asking the Commander-in-Chief to lock down the operational space of terrorists and bandits, deny them freedom of movement, cut off their supply lines and communications and deploy overwhelming force,” the lawmakers said.
Beyond military operations, the caucus urged President Tinubu to visit Zamfara State and Illela to engage directly with communities affected by insecurity, arguing that his physical presence would demonstrate the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the crisis.
On funding, the lawmakers proposed that the Federal Government draw $5 billion from the country’s external reserves if necessary to finance an extraordinary national security intervention.
They argued that protecting the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians remained the primary responsibility of government and should take precedence over less critical expenditures.
The caucus also welcomed the recent increase in the salaries of Armed Forces personnel, describing the move as necessary for improving the welfare and morale of security personnel.
However, it urged the President to forward the required amendment to the 2026 Appropriation Act and a Supplementary Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly without delay.
It said the National Assembly should be prepared to reconvene, if necessary, to ensure that the salary increase for military personnel was implemented promptly.
Meanwhile, the Minority Caucus called for the immediate release of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, describing his detention as increasingly resembling political persecution.
The lawmakers said their concern over El-Rufai’s detention went beyond the former governor, arguing that the development raised questions about the consistency and credibility of the Federal Government’s anti-corruption campaign.
They criticised what they described as the involvement of individuals facing corruption allegations and other controversies in the political structure of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying such circumstances could undermine public confidence in the government’s anti-corruption drive.
The caucus called on the President to exercise his constitutional authority to protect Nigerians, insisting that the country needed concrete action rather than repeated expressions of sympathy following attacks.
“The bloodshed in Northern Nigeria must stop. The abducted must be rescued. The terrorists and bandits must be defeated,” the lawmakers said.
