The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has urged President Bola Tinubu to take immediate and decisive action to halt the escalating wave of terrorism, banditry, killings and mass abductions across Northern Nigeria.
The lawmakers said the scale of attacks on communities had reached an unacceptable level, warning that the continued loss of lives and displacement of residents was worsening the sense of insecurity and helplessness across the region.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its leader, Fredrick Agbedi, and spokesman, Afam Ogene, the caucus called for sustained, intelligence-led military and security operations to reclaim territories occupied or controlled by terrorists and criminal groups.
The lawmakers cited recent attacks in Plateau, Niger, Sokoto, Kaduna and Katsina states, where dozens of residents were reportedly killed or abducted.
They said more than 20 people had been killed in recent attacks, including at least 23 victims in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The caucus also referenced an attack in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, where armed men reportedly abducted more than 60 worshippers during Friday prayers.
In Sokoto State, the lawmakers said at least 40 people were killed in Ungushi community, Kebbe Local Government Area, including the Chief Imam, Imam Aliyu.
They further reported that at least 30 people were killed when gunmen attacked Naridon village in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
According to the caucus, recurring attacks and reprisal killings in Katsina State have also heightened fear among residents. The lawmakers additionally expressed concern over the continued absence of schoolchildren abducted in Borno State months ago.
“This is no longer a situation that can be addressed principally through statements of condemnation after every attack,” the lawmakers said, calling for a sustained security response based on actionable intelligence.
They urged Tinubu to scale up the strategy used in the rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, saying a similar approach should be deployed in areas affected by terrorism and banditry.
The lawmakers called for intensive security operations in affected communities, with the armed forces and other security agencies directed to dominate the territory and maintain sustained operations against terrorist and bandit hideouts, forests and criminal enclaves.
They stressed that the objective should be to restrict the operational space of criminal groups rather than impose restrictions on innocent citizens.
“We are calling on the President to lock down the affected theatres of operation, dominate the territory and sweep the forests, hideouts and criminal enclaves where terrorists and bandits operate.
“Such an operation must be intelligence-led, professionally executed and sustained until the criminal elements are neutralised and the abducted citizens rescued,” the caucus said.
The lawmakers clarified that their call for a lockdown was targeted at the operational space of terrorists and bandits, not at innocent Nigerians.
“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 against those who have turned parts of the North into killing fields and centres of mass abduction,” they added.
The caucus also urged Tinubu to visit Zamfara State and travel to Illela to engage directly with communities affected by insecurity.
According to the lawmakers, the President’s physical presence in communities ravaged by attacks would demonstrate the government’s determination to protect citizens and help restore confidence among affected populations.
Beyond military operations, the lawmakers called for a significant increase in funding for the national security campaign, proposing that the Federal Government consider withdrawing $5 billion from the nation’s external reserves for an extraordinary security intervention if necessary.
“If funding is an issue, the government should draw $5bn from the nation’s external reserves for an extraordinary national security intervention. The primary purpose of government is the welfare and security of the people and no expenditure can be more fundamental than protecting the lives and livelihoods of Nigerian citizens,” they said.
The call comes amid persistent insecurity across parts of Northern Nigeria, where terrorists and bandit groups continue to attack rural communities, abduct residents for ransom and disrupt farming and other economic activities.
The caucus said the government’s response must go beyond reacting to individual attacks and instead focus on dismantling the networks, logistics and territories that enable criminal groups to operate.
The lawmakers also welcomed the recent increase in the salaries of members of the Armed Forces, describing the measure as an important step towards improving the welfare and morale of military personnel.
