The Senate on Wednesday announced a decisive move against the nation’s escalating insecurity, declaring kidnapping a form of terrorism and recommending the death penalty for perpetrators, with no option of fines or judicial discretion to reduce punishment.

The resolution followed intense debate after the November 18 attack on Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, where gunmen killed two worshippers and abducted 38 others.

Although security agencies later rescued all abducted victims through joint operations involving the army, police, DSS operatives and community vigilantes, lawmakers said the incident illustrated the growing southward spread of insurgent cells and highlighted the vulnerability of rural communities.

The resolutions originated from a motion presented by Senator Yisa Ashiru (Kwara South) titled “Urgent Need to Address Escalating Insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States and Strengthen National Security Frameworks,” which prompted a wave of contributions detailing attacks on schools, worship centres, highways and entire settlements.

Senators observed that repeated school abductions had forced the closure of all schools in local government areas across Kebbi and Niger states, five LGAs in Kwara State, and all 47 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.

Senator Issa Jibrin (Kogi East) raised alarm over the country’s inadequate manpower capacity in security agencies, saying Nigeria’s entire security workforce “do not total one million,” unlike Egypt’s 1.5 million. He called for urgent enhancement of security equipment, intelligence coordination, and the creation of a reserve force to support exhausted troops.

Other contributions expressed concern that banditry was advancing toward Osun State through Ekiti-linked communities in the Eruku–Isapa–Koro axis, where a retired Army General and a traditional ruler were recently killed.

Lawmakers also linked criminal attacks to the poor condition of major roads, directing the Federal Ministry of Works to commence immediate reconstruction of the Idofian–Omu-Aran–Eruku–Egbe–Kabba route to limit criminal escape pathways.

As the debate intensified, senators agreed that kidnapping had evolved into terrorism and should attract the harshest punishment. Many insisted that “Capital punishment must apply,” adding that no judge should have the authority to reduce sentences for convicted offenders.

The Senate also urged President Bola Tinubu to “further rejig the nation’s security architecture,” which prompted Senator Ali Ndume to caution that such phrasing could be misinterpreted following the recent confirmation of service chiefs. The chamber later clarified that its appeal focused on enhanced coordination, technological upgrades, intelligence strengthening, and rapid deployment capabilities.

In a rare institutional introspection, the Senate disbanded its Committee on National Security and Intelligence and its Committee on Air Force with immediate effect. Other security-related committees were directed to present written oversight reports and brief the chamber in a closed session within one week.

Lawmakers further moved to bolster registered vigilante groups with federal support and initiated a review of the nation’s firearms laws to allow controlled arming of responsible individuals.

The resolutions followed a heated plenary session, with senators openly clashing over the expanding wave of kidnappings and mass attacks in several states.

Earlier, the chamber adopted a separate motion by Senator Asiru Yisa (Kwara South) commending President Tinubu and security agencies for the rescue of dozens abducted in Kwara and Niger States.

The debate grew more intense as lawmakers reviewed the kidnapping of schoolchildren in Kebbi, mass abductions in Niger, and the church attack in Eruku. Senator Ashiru said the Senate was “deeply disturbed” by the attack on the CAC church and expressed concern over reports that soldiers withdrew from the Kebbi school hours before bandits launched their assault.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin argued that Nigeria must expand its search for solutions and “seek assistance from overseas, urging collaboration with global partners to stem the crisis.”

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the security situation as defining and questioned the absence of data on terrorists neutralised during rescue operations. He also warned senators against political posturing and called for internal reform, stating, “If we are calling on the President to rejig the security architecture, we must also look into our own arrangement. I am not impressed with our Committee on Security and Intelligence. We should rejig it ourselves.”

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe challenged attempts to attribute the crisis to previous administrations, insisting that the current government must take responsibility. He referenced reports of troop withdrawal before the Kebbi school attack, saying, “Who asked them? Nobody knows. If I were the Commander-in-Chief, I would demand answers.”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed concern about intelligence leaks, recalling past instances where the location of a brigadier general killed in Borno was allegedly compromised. He also questioned how bandits managed to strike a school in Kebbi despite security warnings.

The session became rowdy when Senator Seriake Dickson claimed Nigeria was “losing prestige and integrity,” accusing the majority caucus of downplaying the seriousness of the crisis. His remarks provoked protests from APC senators, prompting Akpabio to mute his microphone.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole defended President Tinubu and demanded a probe into the reported troop withdrawal. He argued that “Who ordered the military to withdraw? That person should be tried for terrorism,” a proposal the Senate adopted. He also questioned inconsistencies in sentencing for terrorism cases and reiterated support for the death penalty for kidnappers.

President Bola Tinubu has urged herders across the country to end open grazing, surrender all illegal firearms, and adopt ranching as part of a new national strategy aimed at resolving the persistent farmer–herder conflict.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Tinubu said his administration is prioritising sustainable solutions to the violent confrontations between herders and farming communities, clashes that have significantly contributed to instability across several northern and central states.

The appeal comes at a time when multiple school kidnappings have been recorded in Niger, Kebbi, and other regions over the past week, alongside continued farmer–herder violence in the North Central zone, where numerous fatalities have been reported in recent months.

Tinubu declared that “Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony,” urging all herder associations to take advantage of the new policy direction, discontinue open grazing, and surrender illegal weapons.

The President also appealed to mosques and churches, particularly in high-risk locations, to strengthen coordination with security agencies to safeguard members during prayers and gatherings.

Highlighting the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock as part of his long-term restructuring plan, Tinubu called on herder groups to work with the ministry to modernise livestock production and shift fully to ranch-based systems.

He emphasised that disputes between herders and farmers have long contributed to insecurity, ranging from land clashes to deadly confrontations, especially in the Middle Belt region.

According to the President, the government’s new livestock policy seeks to protect both herders and farmers while reducing land-use tensions across communities.

Tinubu also disclosed that the Federal Government, working with state authorities, will provide frameworks for the creation of ranches and enforce measures against illegal arms circulation to support the transition.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Government on Wednesday said it had intensified security operations across the state following threats issued by a man identified as a self-proclaimed bandit in the Edo Central Senatorial District.

In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua, the government provided assurances of adequate protection for residents amid rising concerns.

The governor convened a high-level security meeting after a viral video showed the alleged bandit issuing threats to communities in and around Ekpoma.

The Edo State Special Security Squad recently arrested two suspected kidnappers, identified as Anthony Fedigha Ebimienwei and Luke Disemoh, in the Egbai Community, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, following what authorities described as “high-level, intelligence-driven surveillance.”

The government urged the public to remain calm, stay vigilant, and cooperate with security agencies, warning against the circulation of misinformation. Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the lives of residents, commuters, and investors throughout the state.

Wema Bank, Nigeria’s most innovative bank and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has once again taken centre stage in grand style, collaborating with Africa’s biggest Afrobeats artiste, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, on the Nigeria leg of his 5ive Tour. The Tour, which hit its 4th city on November 9, 2025, has recorded over 80,000 attendees so far.

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