The House of Representatives has issued a stern, unequivocal ultimatum to Nigeria’s security chiefs: decisively crush the raging wave of banditry and school abductions sweeping the nation, or honorably step down from their positions.
The resolution followed an urgent motion moved by Honorable Ibe Okwara Osonwa, the member representing the Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency and Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on FCT Judiciary.

A Nation Under Siege
In a powerful legislative call to action, Hon. Osonwa drew attention to the relentless escalation of mass kidnappings, terror attacks, and banditry that have plunged the country into a perpetual state of mourning and fear. He deeply criticized the systematic targeting of educational institutions and places of worship, noting that schools and churches—once viewed as sanctuaries—have now become prime targets for ruthless criminal syndicates.

The lawmaker warned that the daily abduction of innocent students is actively dismantling the country’s educational framework. “The daily abduction of innocent schoolchildren has not only disrupted the educational fabric of the nation but has forced thousands of children out of school, compounding the country’s out-of-school children crisis and traumatizing an entire generation of young Nigerians.”

Furthermore, the motion highlighted that ordinary Nigerians feel entirely abandoned by the state. Terror has forced farming communities to desert their lands, caused local businesses to collapse, and pushed countless families into extreme poverty as they scramble to raise astronomical ransom sums. Worship services have also become perilous, with congregants regularly attacked, abducted, or killed, severely infringing upon the constitutional right to freedom of religion.

A major point of contention raised in the House was the apparent failure of the current security architecture despite massive financial investments. Hon. Osonwa expressed deep concern that despite trillions of Naira allocated to the defense and security sectors in consecutive national budgets, response efforts remain overwhelmed and reactive.

The motion noted that the lack of a “decisive, definitive, and crushing military response” has left citizens with the grim impression that the government has lost control of vast territories within the country. This failure directly violates Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which explicitly mandates that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

The House Resolves
Following intense deliberation, the House of Representatives adopted the motion and officially resolved to:

Condemn in the strongest possible terms the ongoing banditry, horrific daily abductions of schoolchildren, and persistent attacks on places of worship.
Transmit an urgent appeal to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, reminding him of his sacred oath of office to protect the lives and properties of all Nigerians.

Demand the immediate deployment of an aggressive, unrelenting, and comprehensive security strategy to flush out bandits from their strongholds, secure vulnerable schools, and ensure the immediate, unconditional release of all captives.
Issue a Resignation Mandate, declaring unequivocally that if the current administration fails or proves unwilling to arrest the drift into anarchy within a specified timeframe, the Security Service Chiefs should honorably resign from office.
*Mandate Oversight Action by the House Committees on Defense, National Security and Intelligence, and Army to aggressively monitor the execution of this resolution and report back to the House within two weeks.

The motion marks a sharp escalation in legislative pressure on the nation’s security leadership as lawmakers demand immediate accountability and visible results to stop the daily tears of grieving citizens.