Ticking Time Bomb: Reps Warn FG as Insecurity Spirals Out of Control

 

The session’s urgency was sparked by a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Ahmed Satomi, following the tragic incidents in Borno and Yobe States. The debate soon turned emotional as several lawmakers shared chilling firsthand accounts from their constituencies.

Hon. Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau) didn’t mince words in his warning:

“Until government responds with action, not just statements, no member of this Assembly is safe. The people may come after us the same way they go after criminals.”

Gagdi emphasized that the growing frustration among citizens, especially in communities repeatedly attacked without adequate protection or justice, could lead to unpredictable and potentially violent outcomes.

Boko Haram Is Back – And Deadlier

Hon. Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno) gave a harrowing account of the current situation in his constituency, where insurgent activity has intensified.

“Ten farmers were slaughtered in Pulka, 14 in Chibok, and military personnel were killed in Izge and Kampu. Boko Haram used weaponized drones. The army is outgunned and undermanned. I saw it with my own eyes.”

He stressed that the situation is rapidly spiraling out of control, with Boko Haram regrouping and deploying advanced weapons previously unseen in the conflict.

“They are back and worse than before. If we don’t act, we may return to the dark days when 22 of 27 local governments in Borno were under insurgent control,” he warned.

Foreign Fighters, Drone Warfare – A Dangerous New Phase

Echoing Jaha’s concerns, Hon. Zainab Gimba (APC, Borno) confirmed that insurgents are using advanced technology and that foreign fighters have joined their ranks.

“The commander told me several insurgents were white men. This is beyond local terrorism,” she said, referencing an ambush on a multinational base that led to the death of 20 soldiers in her constituency.

Gimba also questioned the strategic placement of military bases within populated city areas, referencing the recent fire incident at Giwa Barracks.

“Military bases should not be in densely populated areas. We are politicizing people’s lives.”

She warned that the withdrawal of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS is compounding regional insecurity, further weakening coordinated counter-terrorism efforts in West Africa.

Call for Armed Self-Defense and Oversight

In a bold recommendation, Hon. Shettima Ali (APC, Yobe) urged the National Assembly to consider legislation that would empower citizens to defend themselves against terrorist attacks.

“Our security forces are not enough and don’t know the terrain. Let’s pass a law that empowers people to protect themselves.”

Hon. Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos) criticized the lack of tangible results despite enormous security expenditures:

“Drastic measures are needed. We’ve spent too much without seeing progress.”

House Moves to Investigate Giwa Barracks Fire, Bolster Security

Following the passionate debate, the House resolved to:

• Launch a thorough investigation into the Giwa Barracks fire.

• Review and enhance security protocols at military installations nationwide.

• Reinforce military operations in Borno and Yobe states.

• Offer support to families of soldiers killed or injured in recent attacks.

• Mandate the Committees on Army, Defence, and National Security to report back with actionable recommendations within weeks.

Senate President Akpabio: “The Patience of Nigerians Is Wearing Thin”

Over in the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio echoed the alarm during the chamber’s resumption of plenary. He acknowledged the deepening insecurity, economic hardship, and public frustration across Nigeria, calling on lawmakers to rise to the occasion.

“Our people look to us not for rhetoric, but for rescue. These challenges require sacrifice, discipline, and unity. No test must find us wanting.”

Akpabio addressed the multifaceted nature of the crisis, including:

• Rising insecurity in the South-East and North-West.

• Escalating farmer-herder conflicts in the North-Central.

• Longstanding grievances over equity and development in the South-South.

• The unchecked surge in the cost of living and instability in the energy sector.

He emphasized the need for cohesive governance:

“The executive is doing its part; we must complement that effort with strong legislative action.”

Akpabio concluded his address with a clarion call for leadership and national unity:

“The Nigerian people are watching. The world is watching. We must lead with integrity, patriotism, and a renewed commitment to peace and progress.”

NaijaRush Takeaway

As Nigeria confronts rising insecurity on multiple fronts, the voices from the National Assembly signal a breaking point. Lawmakers—often accused of being disconnected from the grassroots—are now raising the alarm in stark terms, echoing the fear and anger of everyday Nigerians.

What happens next will depend not only on the resolve of the Federal Government but on the willingness of the legislative arm to turn rhetoric into real reform.