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The House of Representatives has summoned top security officials and key government functionaries to provide details of funds released to security agencies over the past six months amid worsening insecurity across the country.
Those invited include the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, the service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed.
The resolution was adopted during plenary on Tuesday following deliberations on motions addressing the escalating security challenges confronting several parts of the country.
Lawmakers said the appearance of the officials would enable the House to assess the utilisation of funds appropriated for security operations and evaluate ongoing efforts to tackle banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
The House also called on President Bola Tinubu to extend the recruitment of forest guards to all states battling insecurity, similar to the initiative recently approved for Oyo State.
The lawmakers expressed concern over the increasing wave of attacks and abductions, particularly the recent kidnapping of students and teachers in parts of Oyo and Borno states, which has generated widespread public outrage.
According to reports, more than 40 pupils, students and teachers were abducted by terrorists in Oyo State last month, while a similar incident in Borno State saw scores of students and teachers taken captive by armed groups.
The incidents triggered nationwide protests by the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), which demanded the immediate release of the victims and stronger measures to protect schools and educational institutions.
Civil society organisations and concerned groups also staged demonstrations across the country, urging government authorities to intensify rescue efforts and address the growing insecurity threatening communities.
In response to the Oyo incident, President Tinubu dispatched a high-level federal delegation to the affected area. The team included the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Addressing community leaders during the visit, Gbajabiamila said the President was deeply troubled by the abduction and remained committed to securing the release of all those held captive.
He noted that the deployment of top security officials underscored the administration’s determination to utilise every available resource to rescue the victims and restore peace in the affected communities.
The President subsequently approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to strengthen surveillance and security operations in vulnerable areas, while also directing the establishment of a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities.
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to defeat insecurity nationwide and secure the freedom of all persons currently being held by terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups.
