President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency, ordering an unprecedented surge in military and police recruitment as kidnappings and terrorist attacks sweep across multiple states. But the announcement was met with rare and fierce pushback from federal lawmakers, who accused the administration of secretly negotiating with bandits and emboldening criminal networks.
Tinubu directed the police to recruit 20,000 additional officers — raising the ongoing drive to 50,000 — and authorised the military and Department of State Services (DSS) to enlist thousands more. He also approved the temporary conversion of National Youth Service Corps camps into police training depots and the redeployment of officers withdrawn from VIP escorts to high-risk zones.
“The terrorists lurking in our forests will have no more hiding places,” Tinubu said, urging citizens to remain vigilant.
The directives came after over 300 people — mostly schoolchildren — were abducted in Kebbi, Niger and Kwara within a week. The attacks forced states across the North and North-Central to close schools, while the Federal Government shut 41 Unity Colleges nationwide.
Lawmakers accuse FG of ‘betrayal’
Despite the emergency measures, senators and members of the House of Representatives sharply criticised the government’s handling of the crisis, especially its admission that security agencies opened lines of communication with the abductors.
Senators warned that Nigeria was “under attack” and losing public confidence, demanding accountability for the withdrawal of troops from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi hours before 24 students were kidnapped.
“Who ordered the military to withdraw? That person should be tried for terrorism,” Senator Adams Oshiomhole said.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin urged Nigeria to seek international military assistance, while Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the spate of attacks represented “a defining moment” for the country.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said the administration must stop blaming past governments: “If I were the Commander-in-Chief, I would demand answers.”
Reps coalition blasts Tinubu, cites global failures of negotiating with criminals
A multi-party bloc in the House, under the banner House to the Rescue, issued a blistering statement accusing Tinubu of “abdication of responsibility” and legitimising criminality.
“No functioning nation rewards criminality with dialogue,” the lawmakers said, warning that covert concessions to bandits would deepen insecurity. They cited Colombia, Mexico, Afghanistan, Somalia and Mali as examples where negotiations strengthened armed groups rather than weakening them.
The lawmakers demanded transparency, a halt to all talks with violent groups, and a national offensive to dismantle kidnapping networks.
