The House of Representatives convened a special plenary session on Tuesday to address Nigeria’s escalating security challenges, admitting a delegation from St. Kitts and Nevis, led by its Speaker Lanein Blanchette, as well as representatives from the United States Embassy.
The session aims to review a consolidated Internal Assessment compiled by several House committees, detailing recent security incidents, emerging trends, oversight outcomes, and the implementation of past resolutions.
Committees on defence, national security and intelligence, police affairs, human rights, interior, foreign affairs, women’s affairs, youth development, and emergency and disaster preparedness are also scheduled to deliver evidence-based briefings.
A formal resolution summarising agreed interventions, timelines, and oversight mechanisms is expected to be issued at the conclusion of the proceedings.
In his opening remarks, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas reaffirmed that Nigeria’s sovereignty “is not up for negotiation,” while acknowledging the country’s longstanding partnership with the United States.
He expressed the House’s readiness to collaborate with the US government on matters affecting Nigeria’s security architecture.
Abbas further highlighted that the House is carefully considering the proposed Religious Freedom Accountability Bill, noting that both Christian and Muslim communities have been targets of terrorist attacks.
He also drew attention to recent military coups in neighbouring West African countries, describing them as developments that require close monitoring.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu announced that within the next six months, the House plans to pass legislation prohibiting ransom negotiations, criminalizing government officials who authorize unstructured amnesty deals, and establishing clear disarmament criteria. Kalu also called for an investigation into alleged government negotiations with bandits and the payment of ransoms.
The special session comes amid heightened insecurity nationwide, including the mass abduction of students in Kebbi and Niger states and the attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Kwara State.
These incidents have led to school closures in parts of northern Nigeria and sparked criticism from opposition parties and civil society over the government’s handling of security challenges.
Last week, the US Congress held a public hearing on Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) following rising insecurity. Victims, lawmakers, and other stakeholders testified on the escalating abductions, destruction of properties, and killings in recent years.
In response to the insecurity, police have intensified security measures in schools and places of worship, while six southwest governors recently met in Ibadan for a closed-door discussion on coordinated security interventions following the attack on the CAC church in Kwara State.
Tuesday’s plenary reflects the House’s growing determination to address the nation’s security crisis through legislative oversight, international collaboration, and targeted policy reforms.
Discover more from LN247
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
