The Senate on Wednesday approved major security resolutions, including the classification of kidnapping as terrorism and a recommendation that convicted offenders face the death penalty without the option of a fine or judicial discretion to reduce the sentence.
The decisions followed hours of tense debate over rising insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi, Niger and neighbouring states, intensified by the November 18 attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, where two worshippers were killed and 38 abducted.
Although all the abducted victims were later rescued through combined efforts of the Nigerian Army, Police, DSS, and community vigilantes, lawmakers said the incident demonstrated the southward spread of insurgent operations and the deepening collapse of rural security.
The resolutions followed discussion on a motion titled: “Urgent Need to Address Escalating Insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States and Strengthen National Security Frameworks,” sponsored by Senator Oyelola Ashiru, representing Kwara South.
Senators warned that schools, worship centres, major roadways and entire communities were now targets in a widening pattern of violence. The Senate noted that widespread school abductions had forced the shutdown of learning activities across all local government areas of Kebbi and Niger States, five LGAs in Kwara, and all 47 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.
The chamber expressed concern over reports that troops were withdrawn from a school in Kebbi State minutes before gunmen launched an attack, and called for a full investigation into the incident and into the killing of Brigadier-General Uba, who was ambushed after his warnings were reportedly leaked.
Lawmakers pointed to internal collaborators, compromised intelligence channels and the takeover of key forest routes—including the Kwara–Kogi axis, Kebbi–Zamfara corridor, and the Shiroro–Rafi–Munya triangle—as major drivers of increasingly coordinated attacks.
Senator Issa Jibrin (Kogi East) decried Nigeria’s severe security manpower deficit, noting that the combined strength of the nation’s military, police and paramilitary personnel remains under one million, compared to Egypt’s over 1.5 million. He called for urgent modernisation of equipment, improved intelligence integration, and the establishment of a military reserve force to support overstretched troops.
Other senators warned that bandit groups were advancing toward Osun State through Ekiti-linked communities along the Eruku–Isapa–Koro axis, where a retired Army General and a traditional ruler were recently killed.
On infrastructure, lawmakers criticised the poor condition of major highways, especially the Idofian–Omu-Aran–Eruku–Egbe–Kabba road, alleging it offered bandits an escape route after attacks. The Senate directed the Federal Ministry of Works to immediately begin reconstruction of the corridor.
Deeply alarmed by rising brutality and the growth of ransom-driven criminal networks, senators agreed that kidnapping had effectively become terrorism and must attract the harshest punishment. “Capital punishment must apply,” several lawmakers insisted, adding that no judge should have the authority to reduce the sentence for convicted kidnappers.
The chamber called on President Bola Tinubu to “further rejig the nation’s security architecture,” though Senator Ali Ndume cautioned that such calls could be misinterpreted given that the Senate had recently confirmed service chiefs. The Senate clarified that its demand focused on improving coordination, technology, intelligence and rapid-deployment capabilities.
In a significant internal move, the Senate dissolved its Committee on National Security & Intelligence and the Committee on Air Force with immediate effect. All remaining security-related committees were directed to submit written oversight reports and brief the chamber in a closed session within one week.
The Senate also moved to strengthen registered vigilante groups, revise Nigeria’s firearms law to permit controlled firearm ownership for responsible citizens, and urged the establishment of a Joint Task Force (JTF) along the Kwara–Kogi corridor with bases in Eruku, Babanla, Oke-Ero and Isanlu. Lawmakers also demanded expanded aerial surveillance, forest combing and inter-state security operations.
Additionally, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and NEMA were mandated to provide relief materials to affected families, especially in communities where schools remain closed.
The chamber approved diplomatic engagements with the United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada and other allies for intelligence-sharing, counter-terrorism training, drone support and advanced surveillance technology.
While commending President Tinubu for cancelling foreign trips and directly coordinating rescue efforts that led to the release of 51 abducted Niger State students and all 38 Kwara victims, the Senate urged him to maintain momentum until every abducted Nigerian is freed.
Lawmakers condemned the payment of ransom and demanded identification of those who negotiate with terrorists, insisting that dismantling these networks was critical to ending banditry.
A one-minute silence was observed in honour of all recent victims. The Senate noted with concern that Nigeria’s internal security situation was deteriorating rapidly and warned that failure to act decisively could result in mass displacement, collapse of rural economies, further school closures and severe psychological trauma.
The chamber reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring implementation of all resolutions, stressing that insecurity had become the greatest threat to Nigeria’s unity, stability and future.
