The Senate has approved electronic transmission of election results with manual backup provisions.
The Senate on Wednesday strengthened its stance against Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, declaring kidnapping an act of terrorism and recommending the death penalty for convicted offenders—without the option of a fine or judicial discretion to reduce sentences.
The resolution followed intense debates sparked by the November 18 attack on Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, where gunmen killed two worshippers and abducted 38 others. Although all victims were rescued through joint operations involving the military, police, DSS, and local vigilantes, senators said the incident highlighted a dangerous expansion of insurgent activity into southern communities.
The motion, sponsored by Senator Yisa Ashiru (Kwara South) and titled “Urgent Need to Address Escalating Insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States and Strengthen National Security Frameworks,” opened broader discussions on rising attacks on schools, worship centres, highways, and rural communities.
Lawmakers noted that the frequency of school kidnappings has forced the closure of all schools in several local government areas in Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara States, as well as all 47 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.
Concerns Over Manpower and Security Gaps
Senator Issa Jibrin (Kogi East) drew attention to what he described as a severe manpower shortage across security agencies, saying Nigeria’s total military, police, and paramilitary personnel “do not total one million,” compared to Egypt’s 1.5 million.
He called for upgraded equipment, improved intelligence sharing, and the creation of a reserve force to support overstretched troops. Other lawmakers warned that banditry was creeping closer to Osun State through communities linked to Eruku–Isapa–Koro, where a retired Army general and a traditional ruler were recently killed.
Blaming attacks partly on poor road infrastructure, the Senate directed the Ministry of Works to begin immediate reconstruction of the Idofian–Omu-Aran–Eruku–Egbe–Kabba corridor to prevent criminal escape routes.
Kidnapping Now Classified as Terrorism
Amid mounting violence and ransom-driven networks, senators unanimously resolved that kidnapping has evolved into terrorism and should attract the harshest punishment.
“Capital punishment must apply,” several senators insisted, arguing that no judge should be allowed to reduce the sentence for convicted kidnappers.
The Senate also urged President Bola Tinubu to “further rejig the nation’s security architecture,” a phrase that prompted caution from Senator Ali Ndume, who warned it could be misinterpreted given the recent appointment of service chiefs. The chamber clarified that it seeks better coordination, technology, intelligence, and rapid deployment—not leadership changes.
Committees Dissolved Amid Internal Criticism
In a rare self-assessment, the Senate dissolved its Committee on National Security and Intelligence and its Committee on Air Force, directing other security-related committees to submit oversight reports within one week and brief the chamber in a closed session.
Lawmakers also backed federal support for registered vigilante groups and recommended a review of Nigeria’s firearms laws to allow controlled arming of responsible citizens.
Earlier, senators had passed a separate motion by Senator Asiru Yisa commending President Tinubu and security agencies for recent rescue operations, including those in Kwara and Niger. The motion also proposed a Joint Task Force for the Kwara–Kogi corridor, a notorious escape route for bandits.
Heated Exchanges on Responsibility and Intelligence Failures
Debate grew tense as lawmakers discussed school kidnappings in Kebbi, mass abductions in Niger, and the Eruku church attack.
Senator Ashiru said the chamber was “deeply disturbed” by the church raid and raised concerns over credible reports that soldiers withdrew from the Kebbi school hours before bandits struck.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin urged Nigeria to strengthen global partnerships:
“We should seek assistance from overseas,” he said.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele questioned the absence of details on terrorists neutralised, cautioning lawmakers against political grandstanding.
“If we are calling on the President to rejig the security architecture, we must also look into our own arrangement,” he said, adding that he was not impressed with the Senate’s Committee on Security and Intelligence.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe insisted that the government must take responsibility for current security failings. Citing reports of troop withdrawal, he said:
“If I were the Commander-in-Chief, I would demand answers.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio raised concerns over intelligence breaches, recalling past cases where the location of military officers was allegedly leaked to insurgents. Tensions rose further when Senator Seriake Dickson accused the majority caucus of downplaying the crisis, prompting protests and a temporary muting of his microphone.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole later called for a probe into the controversial troop withdrawal.
“Who ordered the military to withdraw? That person should be tried for terrorism,” he said—a recommendation the Senate adopted.
He also renewed calls for the death penalty for kidnappers, questioning inconsistencies in sentencing for terrorism-related offences.
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