The House of Representatives has scheduled a full-day national security debate for Thursday in response to escalating killings, mass kidnappings, and rising threats to Nigeria’s stability.
Speaker of the House, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, announced the decision during Tuesday’s plenary, noting that the worsening insecurity demands urgent and collective action from lawmakers and security agencies.
The development comes amid heightened global attention on Nigeria’s security challenges, following recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that “record numbers of Christians” were being killed in Nigeria. While his remarks have been disputed, incidents of violence and abductions have continued across the country.
The urgency of the situation was underscored on Tuesday when Minority Leader Hon. Kingsley Chinda attempted to move a motion on the kidnapping of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the killing of a military general. The Speaker, however, stepped the motion down, saying Thursday had already been reserved exclusively for comprehensive security deliberations.
“We are deeply saddened by these very unfortunate incidents,” Abbas said. “That is why we dedicated the whole of Thursday to security-related matters. This event is one of the reasons that informed our decision.”
Abbas urged security agencies to intensify operations and adopt stronger strategies to protect citizens.
“I call on all security agencies to step up all actions and strategies to ensure the lives and properties of Nigerians are secured,” he stated.
He also directed lawmakers to come prepared with detailed reports on security breakdowns in their constituencies.
“Every member is invited to make submissions on insecurity in his state or constituency. Thursday will give us the opportunity to hear, in detail, all the security issues bedevilling our constituencies and our states,” he added.
