Following the kidnapping of schoolgirls in Kebbi State, the Senate requested a thorough probe of the Safe School Fund, raising new concerns about why billions of dollars allocated to safeguard learning settings have not been able to stop recurring attacks. To bolster the countrywide battle against insurgency, banditry, and school-targeted violence, MPs also requested President Bola Tinubu to authorize the recruitment of at least 100,000 extra military soldiers during Tuesday's plenary.
The upper house also decided to form an ad hoc committee including representatives from the Committees on Finance, Education, Defense, Army, and Navy to investigate the Safe School Program's execution, funding, spending trends, and any shortcomings that exposed schools.
The seriousness of Nigeria's insecurity situation necessitates a planned and immediate expansion of the military forces, according to Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North), who led the call for widespread recruiting and a thorough security audit.
"To have enough members and women in our military, I requested the President and the armed services to recruit an extra 100,000 military personnel. It provides an additional means of providing jobs for our young people.
"People are using our security for commercial purposes. The deaths of our people should not be profited from by the living. What became of the funds designated for the Safe School initiative?
"Once more, I implore the FG and pertinent Senate Committees to look into the money allocated for the Safe School initiative. He pleaded, "I call on the military to use technology and tracking devices to be able to track these criminals."
In his remarks, Akpabio stated that no nation—not even the United States—is immune from crime, but he emphasized the necessity of cooperation and unity regardless of faith if the problem of insecurity is to be addressed.
"We sympathize with the families of the victims, the vice-principal who was killed, and the schoolchildren who are currently in captivity," Akpabio stated. Nigeria is a big country with 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Our security services are overburdened. We are unable to station one police officer at each voting place, even during elections. Terrorists frequently target unpredictable locales.
"Crime exists in every nation, including the United States. However, it is our duty to enact legislation, approve motions, and make choices that minimize crime. Criminality does not belong to any government; it is just criminality.
"We implore the military and all Nigerians with relevant information to help secure these children's release and guarantee the victims' justice. Distinguished colleagues, let us now stand in remembrance of those affected and observe a moment of silence.
Senator Abdullahi had earlier stated, "I rise to call the attention of this chamber to the barbaric crimes of criminal terrorist gangs that assaulted the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, situated in both the Kebbi South district and the Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area in Kebbi State.
The terrorists broke into the school, kidnapping 25 young girls, murdering the vice-principal, and injuring the principal despite the police presence, which proved insufficient.
Such schoolgirl abductions are an insult to our country. In addition to lowering educational standards, terrorist organizations' ongoing attacks on educational facilities deter parents from enrolling their kids.
Regretfully, this is nothing new. It took four arduous years for the girls to safely recover from a similar incident that happened in another government secondary school in Kebbi in 2022.
"I am terribly offended by this persistent threat. The intimidation of our students, kids, and schools needs to end right now. Previous security measures, such as temporary school closures in the impacted regions, were unable to stop this most recent incident.
"I want the federal government and other security services to act right away to free the kidnapped girls and capture the terrorists who are involved. I also ask this illustrious Senate to spend a minute of quiet in remembrance of the departed vice-principal, while we pray for the injured principal's quick recovery.
In addition to being a tragedy for Kebbi State, this incident serves as a warning to the entire country. A nation cannot fulfill its responsibilities to its inhabitants if it cannot protect its children. I implore the President and the security services to do all within their power to ensure the safe return of the girls and the offenders' punishment.
"While we commend the armed forces for their efforts, the truth is that they are overwhelmed," stated Senator Sani Musa, APC, Niger East, during his speech. With only 177,000 workers and a population of over 230 million, it is hard to cover every area, particularly isolated and forested areas.
"We need to reconsider our strategy. Individuals, communities, and traditional leaders need to take the initiative. Everyone involved in these crimes must be found, exposed, and held accountable.
"Every Nigerian must cooperate with the government and security agencies and take the law seriously."
Tragedies have recurred as a result of committees and motions being repeated without action. To protect our children and communities, we need to work together as a country.
"I rise to express my deep concern over the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State, a reprehensible act that demands a strong response from this parliament," stated Senator Mohammed Tahir Munguno, APC, Borno North, the Senate Whip.