The Senate has called for the recruitment of 100,000 additional military personnel and a probe of the safe-school programme following the abduction of 25 students in Kebbi State.
The Senate has urged President Bola Tinubu to authorize the recruitment of 100,000 additional military personnel to confront rising school abductions across Nigeria, according to THE CABLE.
The resolutions followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by Abdullahi Yahaya, senator representing Kebbi North, after terrorists attacked Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, killing the vice-principal, injuring a guard and abducting 25 students despite police presence.
Presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the session opened with a solemn review of the incident before lawmakers moved into a closed-door meeting on classified security matters. A minute’s silence was observed for the slain vice-principal, with prayers for the safe return of the abducted students.
Adams Oshiomhole criticised the safe-school programme, questioning billions spent since 2014. “People have turned security into business,” he said, insisting that mismanaged funds had left schools exposed. He also pushed for urgent recruitment of new military personnel, arguing Nigeria lacks adequate manpower.
Akpabio backed a probe into the programme, saying, “These criminals are going after soft targets.” Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan warned Nigeria risks “losing an entire generation” if attacks persist.
Other senators including Orji Kalu, Victor Umeh, Simon Lalong and Sani Musa called for technology-driven intelligence, shared security responsibility and community involvement.
The Senate resolved to establish an ad hoc committee to investigate all appropriations and expenditures under the safe-school programme while adopting a demand for massive military recruitment and deployment of modern surveillance technology.