The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to summon all the Service Chiefs and the Minister of Finance, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, to appear before lawmakers and account for funds allocated and released for security operations amid worsening insecurity across the country.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on the need to contain recurring bandit attacks in Zamfara State and other North-West states, sponsored by the Chairman of the House Committee on the North West Development Commission, Hon. Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi.
The lawmakers expressed concern that despite huge budgetary allocations to the defence sector over the years, bandits and kidnappers continue to operate with relative ease, carrying out deadly attacks and mass abductions across several parts of the country.
Hon. Gumi, who represents Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, expressed concern that insecurity in Zamfara State and the wider North-West has escalated into a complex humanitarian crisis driven by armed banditry, kidnappings and the infiltration of transnational jihadist groups.
He specifically condemned the activities of bandits who abducted seven students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, from their off-campus hostel on the night of 2 June 2026 into the early hours of 3 June 2026.
‘Earlier, two senior lecturers of the same institution, Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, were kidnapped and have remained in captivity for more than two months despite ransom payments for their release,’ Hon. Gumi told the House.
‘The House is further aware of the violent attack by bandits on Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where four people were killed and several travellers abducted. In Talata Mafara Local Government Area, a councillor and a director were abducted while travelling from Jangebe to the local government headquarters over Hajj activities for intending pilgrims from Jangebe. The bandits killed both of them after refusing to collect any ransom,’ he added.
While lamenting the escalation of bandit attacks in other North-West states, including Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Jigawa, he gave details of several incidents that have affected the region.
According to him, ‘On 31 May 2026, no fewer than 17 villagers were killed when bandits, numbering in their hundreds and riding motorcycles, invaded Dangulbi community in Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
‘It was also reported that more than 15 communities in Tureta and Sabon Birni Local Government Areas of Sokoto State have been deserted due to constant bandit attacks.
‘In Katsina State, a former Director of Defence Information of the Nigerian Army, Major General Rabe Abubakar Batsari (retd), and his wife were abducted when their vehicle was ambushed along the Marabar Musawa-Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area on 30 May 2026.’
He lamented that the continuous and unchallenged movement of bandits between towns, states and their hideouts severely undermines the credibility of the nation’s security architecture.
‘The House is convinced that if the recurring trend of insecurity and kidnapping in Zamfara State and the entire North-West is not checked, it will destroy lives and ruin the socio-economic fortunes of the region,’ he said.
The House also urged the Ministers of Agriculture, Environment, Education, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, as well as the North West Development Commission, to explore non-kinetic approaches to addressing insecurity.
To this end, the House mandated its Committee on Defence and other relevant committees to ensure compliance and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.