Upper house demands establishment of regional law enforcement, strengthens safety protocols amid growing unrest

n n

By Henry Umoru, Abuja

n

The Senate has called for urgent consideration of a legal framework for state policing in Nigeria, as lawmakers expressed concern over rising banditry and the increasing targeting of schools and schoolchildren across the country.

n

The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance titled “Urgent Need for State Governments to Complement the Role of the Federal Government in Nigeria’s Security Situation,” sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West).

n

Lawmakers said attacks on schools and mass abductions have become a major strategy of terrorists, warning that urgent reforms are needed to strengthen internal security architecture.

n

The Senate urged President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector General of Police, and the National Assembly to develop a workable framework for the establishment of state police as part of broader security reforms.

n

It also called on the Department of State Services (DSS) Cybercrime Unit to track and arrest bandits who openly display ransom proceeds on social media platforms.

n

In addition, the Senate asked the Federal Executive Council and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to introduce stricter financial regulations to promote cashless transactions and reduce cash-based ransom payments.

n

The Upper Chamber further mandated the Federal Ministry of Interior and the Nigerian Immigration Service to strengthen border security to curb the movement of terrorists and illegal arms into the country.

n

Lawmakers also urged sub-national governments to stop negotiating or entering peace agreements with armed groups, warning that such arrangements are often violated and may embolden criminals.

n

The Senate also resolved to invite the Commander of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons to brief lawmakers on the growing challenge of arms proliferation in the country.

n

Presenting the motion, Senator Karimi described Kogi West Senatorial District as one of the most affected areas, citing repeated attacks on communities, schools, and highways.

n

He said terrorists attacked Iluke-Bunnu in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area on June 10, 2026, attempting to abduct students sitting for examinations. He added that the attack resulted in the deaths of a vice principal, a teacher, and a resident.

n

Karimi also highlighted multiple incidents across communities in Kogi West, including abductions of traditional rulers’ family members, medical personnel, and mass kidnappings in several villages.

n

He noted that many residents have fled their communities due to persistent attacks, while highways such as the Lokoja–Obajana road have become frequent targets of kidnappers.

n

The lawmaker warned that schools have increasingly become soft targets for armed groups, citing similar incidents in other parts of the country.

n

Senators expressed concern that continued insecurity poses a serious threat to education, agriculture, and national stability, warning that failure to act decisively could erode public confidence in government’s ability to protect lives and property.

n

The Senate emphasized that security remains a shared responsibility, urging state governments to strengthen local security structures and improve grassroots response mechanisms.

n n