After Kebbi Attack, Senate Presses Tinubu to Boost Troops by 100,000 and Investigates Safe School Funds
The Senate on Tuesday expressed renewed alarm over Nigeria’s worsening security situation and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately approve the recruitment of at least 100,000 youths into the armed forces to strengthen the country’s overstretched security system.
Lawmakers also resolved to establish an ad hoc committee to investigate how funds allocated over the years to the Safe School Programme have been utilised, amid concerns that schools remain highly vulnerable to attacks, a fear reinforced by the recent abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State.
The resolutions followed a motion by Senator Abdullahi Yahaya (APC, Kebbi North), who warned that insecurity had reached a dangerous level requiring swift and decisive national action.
During debate, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) described the level of insecurity as “an existential threat,” urging senators to rise above politics.
“We shouldn’t be political or lackadaisical about it because those children are not our own,” he said.
Senator Aminu Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto South) cautioned that the country had “fallen into the trap of its enemies,” warning that failure to unite against insecurity would jeopardise Nigeria’s future.
Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe North) lamented that despite substantial budgetary allocations to the security sector, killings and abductions have continued unabated.
“These children are the leaders of tomorrow. We must do everything possible to protect them,” he noted.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North) criticised state governors for failing to take responsibility for security within their states.
“Security is not only the responsibility of the federal government. Governors must be engaged,” he said, recalling that as governor, he “took the challenge” instead of blaming the centre.
Senator Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central) called for advanced, technology-driven intelligence tools to track and rescue abducted children, while Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South) questioned the repeated targeting of schoolgirls.
“Where has the girl child gone wrong? Are we saying we don’t want girls to go to school? This is a national emergency,” he said.
An additional prayer moved by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), calling for the recruitment of 100,000 new military personnel, was unanimously adopted. Oshiomhole stressed that any new recruits must be properly trained and equipped to take on bandits, terrorists, and other violent groups.
The Senate also advocated for the deployment of modern surveillance and intelligence technology to bolster security operations and assist in locating the abducted Kebbi schoolgirls.