The House of Representatives on Tuesday, dedicated its plenary to the rising insecurity across the country, urging the Federal Government to treat the situation as a matter of urgent national importance.

Lawmakers warned that the surge in banditry, which in the past two weeks has resulted in multiple attacks on innocent citizens, must be confronted decisively to rebuild public trust in government.

Opening the debate, Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, stressed the need for unity and sincerity in addressing the crisis.

He said, “Nigerians travel with fear, pray until their relatives arrive. If we cannot protect the lives and property of Nigerians as enshrined in our constitution, are we worthy to continue to sit as a parliament?

“We cannot fight this battle without unity. Yes, there are religious killings. The answer is yes. But is that the major cause of insecurity? The answer is no. We must stop painting this problem with one brush.”

Chinda, who represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, identified political violence, porous borders, economic displacement, and extremist ideology as key drivers, accusing politicians of having “imported people across our unprotected borders” for political purposes.

He called for a National Border Force and the adoption of state or community policing.

“We do not have a border force in Nigeria. The time has come for us to create one, backed by technology,” he said, urging the National Assembly to summon the service chiefs to explain the security situation.

“We must tell them the feelings of the Nigerian people. My heart is heavy for Nigeria,” he added.

On his part, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, called for legislative intervention.

“Nigeria possesses strong deterrence laws. What we suffer from is weak institutional implementation, inadequate funding, lack of transparency, and misalignment between policy and execution,” he said.

Kalu outlined a five-point strategy—situational analysis, institutional weaknesses, legislative gaps, priority reforms and anticipated objections.

He cited worsening insecurity, the rise of parallel governance structures, kidnappings, and Nigeria’s recent profiling as a “Country of Particular Concern” by US President Donald Trump.

Rejecting negotiations with bandits, he said, “Despite life imprisonment and the death penalty for kidnapping, the practice continues because government entities negotiate with bandits and pay ransom. Amnesty deals embolden these groups.”

He called for laws to prohibit “unstructured ransom negotiations,” enforce transparent police funding, and provide a legal framework for military drone operations.

“A police force that cannot plan beyond the next pay cheque cannot protect this nation. State police are not a silver bullet, but a necessary evolution of our federal system. Nigeria will never cede sovereignty to external actors. But sovereignty demands responsibility,” he added.

In his contribution, House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, described the country as a haven for violent incidents.

“Nigeria now records over 24,000 violent incidents a year. Today, we face multifaceted security threats. Mortalities remain high, reaching up to 9,500 in 2024.

“Nigeria is ranked the sixth most impacted country by terrorism globally. Over 24,000 violent incidents were recorded between December 2023 and November 2024,” he said.

He noted that banditry has grown into organised terrorism in the North-West, Boko Haram and ISWAP remain active in the North-East, and over 1.5 million Nigerians live in IDP camps. While acknowledging government efforts, he said they are inadequate without stronger non-kinetic measures.

“Some communities and individuals are involved in encouraging insecurity. Arrests, prosecutions, rehabilitation and reintegration must be strengthened,” he added.

Northern caucus leader, Alhassan Doguwa, delivered one of the most forceful contributions.

“I am of the All Progressives Congress extraction from Kano State. I say this because I don’t want anyone out there to mistake me for the opposition.

“I am speaking today as an APC member, but with a particular concern. The government is doing its best. The security agencies are doing their best, but their best is not good enough,” he said.

He called the situation “horrific, tragic, devastating, and unspeakable,” adding that communities in the North live “in serious tension, fear and despair.”

He warned, “Today, Nigeria is operating under a complete war against humanity. War in the north, war in the west, war in the east, and war down south.

“If the government is not prepared to do the right thing, I urge this House to stand up and pay the supreme cost: Shut this House down and declare a legislative emergency until the right thing is done.”

He further argued that governance is meaningless when citizens are unsafe.

“We are running in blood and tears,” he said, listing farmers unable to farm, traders afraid of markets, and worshippers unsafe in churches and mosques.

With the 2027 elections approaching, he asked, “How do we have peaceful polls if our communities are plunged into crisis?”

The South-South caucus leader, Victor Nwokolo, also lamented rising killings and kidnappings in Delta and neighbouring states, saying police lack resources.

“You go to the police, they say their vehicles are not around because they don’t have what it takes to match the criminals. The indigenous people driving Okada or Keke are also part of our problem.

“They give information to kidnappers. They buy them food and run errands for them,” he said.

He criticised poor deployment practices, stating, “The rank and file are posted to areas where they don’t even hear the language. Without understanding the local language, you cannot penetrate the syndicate.”

Addressing Doguwa’s proposal for a shutdown, Kalu cautioned lawmakers.

“No problem is too big for the parliament to handle. We will not shut the parliament. We are the solution and hope of the nation,” he said. (The PUNCH)