The Senate, on Tuesday, raised concerns over the country’s security situation and called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately approve the recruitment of at least 100,000 youths into the armed forces to reinforce Nigeria’s security architecture.
The lawmakers also resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the utilisation of funds allocated over the years for the Safe School Programme, amid renewed concerns that Nigerian schools remain vulnerable to attacks.
The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Senator Abdullahi Yahaya (APC, Kebbi North), who warned that insecurity had reached an alarming level, requiring urgent and decisive national action.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP Bauchi Central), described the situation as “an existential threat,” urging colleagues to rise above politics.
“We shouldn’t be political or lackadaisical about it because eeeethose children are not our own,” he said.
Senator Aminu Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto South) said the nation had “fallen into the trap of its enemies,” cautioning that failure to unite against insecurity would jeopardise Nigeria’s future.
Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe North) lamented that despite massive budgetary allocations to the security sector, attacks and killings persist.
“These children are the leaders of tomorrow. We must do everything possible to protect them,” he said.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North) accused state governors of neglecting their constitutional role in security management.
“Security is not only the responsibility of the federal government, governors must be engaged,” he said, adding that during his tenure as Abia governor, he “took the challenge” rather than blame the centre.
Senator Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central) called for advanced technology-driven intelligence to track and rescue abducted children, while Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South) questioned why schoolgirls continued to be targeted.
“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.
The Senate then adopted an additional prayer moved by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), demanding the recruitment of 100,000 youths into the armed forces.
Oshiomhole stressed that the new intakes must be adequately trained and equipped to confront bandits, terrorists, and other violent groups terrorising citizens.
The Senate also advocated increased deployment of modern surveillance and intelligence technology to combat insecurity and assist in locating the abducted Kebbi schoolgirls.
