The House of Representatives on Tuesday held a special plenary session to address Nigeria’s rising insecurity, with lawmakers expressing deep concern over the continuous violent attacks affecting communities across the country.
Members of Parliament said the situation now requires urgent reforms in the nation’s security structure to restore public confidence and protect citizens.
Minority Leader Hon. Kingsley Chinda said insecurity cannot be effectively tackled without national unity and sincerity of purpose. He noted that many Nigerians no longer feel safe while travelling and urged the parliament to “re-evaluate its role in strengthening public safety.” Chinda identified political tensions, porous borders, economic hardship and extremist influences as major drivers of insecurity and suggested that the government consider creating a National Border Force alongside discussions on state or community policing.
He further called for a closed-door session with security chiefs to directly convey public concerns and expectations. According to him, Parliament must take decisive steps to address threats before they escalate further. “We cannot fight this battle without unity,” Chinda insisted, saying citizens expect stronger collaboration among security institutions.
Deputy Speaker Rep. Benjamin Kalu said the country’s security crisis demands legislative solutions in addition to ongoing security operations. He noted that although Nigeria’s legal framework provides strong deterrence, institutional weaknesses and limited resources have slowed down effective implementation. While outlining a five-point framework to close existing gaps, Kalu warned against unregulated ransom negotiations and backed legislative measures to ensure more structured responses to abductions.
House Leader Rep. Julius Ihonvbere presented national security statistics showing that Nigeria recorded over twenty four thousand violent incidents between December 2023 and November 2024. He added that more than one point five million citizens remain in internally displaced persons camps nationwide. Ihonvbere said ongoing troop deployments, technology investments and air operations are helpful, but greater focus is needed on preventive and community based strategies to reduce attacks across regions.
Lawmakers including Rep. Ado Doguwa and Rep. Victor Nwokolo also expressed concerns about the worsening security situation in the North and South South regions. They called for improved logistics for security agencies, community vigilance programmes and private sector support for road rehabilitation to reduce attack risks. While Doguwa warned that insecurity could affect preparations for the 2027 elections, Deputy Speaker Kalu maintained that Parliament will not shut down, saying lawmakers remain committed to finding solutions that unite the country.
