The Senate on Wednesday commended President Bola Tinubu and security agencies for the swift rescue of dozens of kidnap victims in Kwara and Niger states, even as it warned that attacks on schools and places of worship across the country had reached alarming levels.
The commendation followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Asiru Yisa (Kwara South) titled “Urgent Need to Address Escalating Insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States – Call for Immediate and Comprehensive Federal Intervention.”
Yisa told the chamber that he was “deeply disturbed” by the attack on Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, where armed assailants killed two worshippers and abducted 38 people — all of whom have since been freed.
The senator raised concerns over the apparent withdrawal of military personnel from a school in Kebbi hours before a bandit attack and called for an urgent and transparent investigation.
He said, “Credible reports indicate military personnel were withdrawn from the affected Kebbi school just hours before the bandits struck, raising grave questions that demand transparent and urgent investigation.”
The Senate further warned that internal collaborators were aiding bandits with logistics and escape routes, and noted that criminals continued to exploit porous forest corridors such as the Kwara–Kogi axis, Kebbi–Zamfara route, and Niger’s Shiroro–Rafi–Munya belt.
Lawmakers also highlighted vulnerable communities, including Eruku, Isapa, and Koro—where a retired Army general and traditional ruler was recently killed—and condemned the deplorable condition of the Idofian–Omu-Aran–Eruku–Egbe–Kabba highway, which they said had become an easy escape route for criminals.
The chamber commended Tinubu for his “exemplary leadership and swift response” to the attacks, noting his decision to cancel foreign trips to coordinate rescue operations.
“We commend Tinubu and security agencies for rapid interventions and urge sustained operations until all abductees nationwide are freed.
“We mandate the army, police, DSS, and Defence Intelligence Bureau to intensify intelligence-driven operations across the affected states and also call for the creation of a Joint Task Force (JTF) for the Kwara–Kogi corridor with operating bases in Eruku, Babanla, Oke-Ero, and Isanlu,” the Senate said.
The Senate acknowledged the “courage, unity, and resilience” of communities in the three states, as well as the efforts of vigilante groups. Lawmakers also urged residents to remain vigilant and resist internal collaborators.
After observing a two-minute silence for victims, the Senate directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and NEMA to provide relief to affected families and communities where schools have been closed.
The chamber further resolved to engage the US and allied parliaments for support in intelligence and counter-terrorism initiatives.
The PUNCH had reported that bandits stormed a school hostel in Kebbi last Monday, abducting 24 female students.
This was followed by attacks on a church vigil in Eruku, Kwara State, where 38 worshippers were kidnapped, and a raid on St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, where over 300 pupils and teachers were seized—sparking public outrage and renewed calls for stronger security measures.
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