The Senate has thrown its weight behind a motion to convene a three-day National Security Summit aimed at addressing Nigeria’s escalating insecurity, despite resistance from some senior lawmakers who questioned the effectiveness of such past efforts.
The resolution followed a heated plenary on Tuesday during which senators expressed deep concern over rising insecurity—including banditry, terrorism, and violent crime—across the country. The motion was sponsored by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South) and co-sponsored by Senators Titus Zam Tartenger (Benue North-West), Onyeka Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North), and Osita Ngwu (Enugu West).
Senators shared harrowing accounts from their constituencies, lamenting that rural communities, urban outskirts, and even federal highways have become unsafe.
“Mr. President, you can no longer go to Kwali or Kubwa in the evening without the fear of being taken,” Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi) stated, emphasizing the daily dangers faced by ordinary citizens.
The proposed summit, according to the motion, would bring together a cross-section of stakeholders including federal and state officials, traditional rulers, student groups, civil society organizations, and security professionals. Its objective is to generate empirical and actionable recommendations that go beyond rhetoric and committee resolutions.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio endorsed the motion and stressed the summit’s broad scope, noting that it will draw participants from affected states, security agencies, student unions, and traditional institutions to ensure a comprehensive and people-centered response.
However, some lawmakers voiced strong opposition. Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi Central) argued that what Nigeria needs is not another summit but “a thorough engagement with the security chiefs.”
Similarly, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South) expressed doubt about the summit’s value, citing the failure of similar efforts in previous sessions of the Senate.
“I have been here long enough to witness many of these security sessions. Do we really want to be true to ourselves? Everyone here knows what’s happening in their constituencies. If we genuinely want to fix this, then fine — let’s do it. But we must stop pretending.”
In support of the motion, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) acknowledged past failures but insisted on the need for fresh thinking.
“That we have tried solutions in the past and they failed doesn’t mean we stop trying. This insecurity is hydra-headed. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and we must explore all options.”
Some senators also raised alarms over insider threats, alleging that disgruntled or dismissed military personnel may be aiding criminal gangs. Others called for a simultaneous deployment of kinetic (military) and non-kinetic (civilian and dialogue-based) strategies.
Senator Ibrahim emphasized that the summit must produce tangible results, warning: “It is not enough to assign these issues to committees. We must interrogate what they are doing and demand results.”
The Senate resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to begin preparations for the summit immediately. It expects the outcome to be a detailed communique with implementable policy recommendations to be sent to the executive branch for immediate action.
“The time for rhetoric is over,” Akpabio declared. “Security is everybody’s business, and we must act with unity, resolve, and innovation.”
