{"id":127503,"date":"2026-06-10T00:14:05","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T23:14:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=127503"},"modified":"2026-06-10T00:14:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T23:14:05","slug":"reps-demand-answers-on-security-spending-amid-surge-in-bandit-attacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/reps-demand-answers-on-security-spending-amid-surge-in-bandit-attacks\/","title":{"rendered":"Reps Demand Answers on Security Spending Amid Surge in Bandit Attacks"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Tracy Moses<\/div>\n
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The House of Representatives on Tuesday demanded explanations from key government officials over the utilisation of security funds amid a worsening wave of bandit attacks, kidnappings and killings across several states in the North-West region.<\/div>\n
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The lawmakers resolved to summon the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, to account for financial releases to the defence sector and explain why the country\u2019s security situation continues to deteriorate despite substantial budgetary allocations.<\/div>\n
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The decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Gummi\/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, Rep. Sulaiman Gumi, during plenary.<\/div>\n
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Presenting the motion, Gumi expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in Zamfara and other states in the North-West, arguing that persistent attacks by armed groups have left communities devastated, displaced residents and triggered a growing humanitarian crisis.<\/div>\n
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He told lawmakers that recent attacks in Zamfara and neighbouring states underscored the urgent need for greater accountability and a more effective security response.<\/div>\n
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\u201cThe House is aware that between June 1 and 6, 2026, rampaging bandits riding on about 250 motorcycles with three riders each invaded Gummi\/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency, and some parts of Sokoto villages bordering Zamfara State, killing 93 people,\u201d he said.<\/div>\n
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The lawmaker further highlighted a series of kidnappings involving students and academic staff of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, describing the incidents as evidence of the increasing vulnerability of educational institutions and surrounding communities.<\/div>\n
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\u201cThe House is also aware that on the night of June 2, 2026, into the early hours of June 3, 2026, seven students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, were abducted by bandits at their off-campus students\u2019 hostel. Earlier, two senior lecturers of the same Polytechnic were kidnapped and held in captivity for more than two months, despite ransom payments for their release,\u201d he stated.<\/div>\n
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He also drew attention to attacks in Zurmi and Talata Mafara Local Government Areas, where lives were lost and several persons abducted.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWe are aware of the violent attack by bandits on Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where four people were killed and several travellers abducted. In Talata Marafa Local Government Area, a Councillor and a Director were abducted while travelling from Jangebe to the local government headquarters over Hajj activities for intending pilgrims from Jangebe. The bandits killed both of them after refusing to collect any ransom,\u201d he said.<\/div>\n
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Beyond Zamfara, Gumi noted that banditry had continued to spread across other North-West states, including Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Jigawa, with communities facing recurrent attacks, abductions and displacement.<\/div>\n
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Recalling another deadly incident in Sokoto State, he said: \u201cOn May 31, 2026, 17 villagers were killed when bandits in their hundreds and riding on motorcycles invaded Dangulbi community in Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State.<\/div>\n
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\u201cMore than 15 communities in Tureta and Sabon Birni Local Government Areas of Sokoto State have been deserted due to constant bandit attacks.\u201d<\/div>\n
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He further cited the abduction of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar Batsari, a former Director of Defence Information, and his wife in Katsina State as an indication that insecurity now affects citizens across social and professional divides.<\/div>\n
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The Zamfara lawmaker expressed concern that the continued ability of bandits to move freely across forests, communities and state boundaries had raised serious questions about the effectiveness of ongoing security operations.<\/div>\n
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\u201cJust yesterday (Monday), 50 elderly men were kidnapped and are still held captive in Zamfara State,\u201d he disclosed.<\/div>\n
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According to him, the persistence of such attacks despite repeated military operations and increased government spending on security has fuelled public anxiety and eroded confidence in the nation\u2019s security architecture.<\/div>\n
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The debate that followed reflected growing frustration among lawmakers over the apparent disconnect between security expenditure and outcomes on the ground.<\/div>\n
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Rep. Abubakar Yalleman called on the National Assembly to accelerate consideration of bills seeking the establishment of state police, arguing that localised policing structures would improve intelligence gathering and response capabilities.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI urge the National Assembly to expedite action on state police to help checkmate the deteriorating level of security in the country,\u201d he said.<\/div>\n
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His position received support from several lawmakers, including Rep. Olumide Osoba, who maintained that the country\u2019s security challenges require structural reforms in addition to increased funding.<\/div>\n
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Rep. Babajimi Benson, meanwhile, advocated a review of aspects of the cashless policy framework as part of efforts to curb ransom payments and disrupt kidnapping operations.<\/div>\n
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\u201cIt is important to revisit the cashless policy because it is difficult to pay ransom through bank transfers,\u201d he said.<\/div>\n
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Also speaking, Rep. Ademorin Kuye urged stronger financial surveillance mechanisms, particularly within the Bureau De Change sector, to curb illicit transactions that may be aiding criminal networks.<\/div>\n
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\u201cIt is important for us to gazette the prohibition of ransom payment to kidnappers. The Central Bank of Nigeria should consider monitoring the activities of Bureau De Change operators to address illicit financial flows,\u201d he advised.<\/div>\n
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Following the adoption of the motion, the House resolved to summon the NSA and the Ministers of Defence and Finance to provide detailed briefings on security spending, operational challenges and measures being implemented to address the growing insecurity.<\/div>\n
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Lawmakers also urged the Ministry of Defence to deploy additional personnel, equipment and other operational resources to Zamfara and other troubled parts of the North-West.<\/div>\n
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Recognising that insecurity is often driven by a combination of social and economic factors, the House further called on the Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, Education, Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management to pursue non-kinetic strategies aimed at addressing the root causes of violence.<\/div>\n
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The Committees on Defence and other relevant committees were mandated to monitor compliance with the resolutions and report back within two weeks.<\/div>\n
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The House\u2019s intervention comes at a time when concerns are mounting over the effectiveness of Nigeria\u2019s security spending. Despite years of increased budgetary allocations to defence and security agencies, large swathes of the North-West continue to experience recurring attacks, mass abductions and displacement, prompting renewed calls for greater accountability, policy reforms and a more coordinated national response to insecuri<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n