Senate Orders Probe Into Kebbi School Abductions, Raises Alarm Over Rising Insecurity in Kwara, Niger, Kebbi

By Iyojo Ameh

The Senate has launched an investigation into the worsening insecurity across Kwara, Niger, and Kebbi States, following fresh concerns over recent school abductions, attacks on worship centres, and rising threats to rural communities.

The decision came on Tuesday after lawmakers adopted a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by the Deputy Majority Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru. He described the situation as a “national emergency” demanding urgent federal intervention.

The lawmakers condemned the November 18 attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, where gunmen killed two worshippers and abducted 38 people. All victims were later rescued in coordinated operations. The incident led to temporary closure of schools in parts of Kwara, Niger, and Kebbi States, as well as 47 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.

The Senate also expressed concern over the increasing pattern of school abductions, including the kidnapping of students in Niger and Kebbi States. A key point of alarm was the reported withdrawal of military personnel from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, just hours before 24 female students were abducted.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) demanded a transparent probe, insisting the Senate must identify who authorised the withdrawal of security operatives before the attack. His call received support from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senator Seriake Dickson, and several others.

Lawmakers also cited intelligence reports suggesting internal collaborators are aiding bandits with logistics, information, and escape routes, particularly through forest corridors such as the Kwara–Kogi axis, Kebbi–Zamfara route, and the Shiroro–Rafi–Munya belt in Niger State.

The chamber further highlighted the poor state of the Idofian–Omu-Aran–Eruku–Egbe–Kabba federal highway, noting that its condition enables ambushes and provides easy escape for attackers.

Earlier, Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele warned against growing public speculation around the release of kidnap victims and urged a reassessment of the performance of Senate security committees. He emphasised that the Tinubu administration does not support ransom payments.

The Senate commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as his swift response, including cancelling planned foreign trips to oversee national security efforts. It also praised security agencies for the rescue of 38 abductees in Kwara and 51 students in Niger State.

The Senate resolved to: Urge communities in Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, and across the country to remain vigilant and resist internal collaborators aiding criminal elements, while commending President Tinubu and security agencies for the rapid interventions as it urged sustained operations until all abductees nationwide are rescued.

The Senate equally mandated the immediate reconstruction of the Idofian–Omu-Aran–Eruku–Egbe–Kabba federal highway while directing the Nigerian Army, Police, DSS, and Defence Intelligence Bureau to intensify intelligence-driven operations, forest combing, and cross-state collaboration.
They also called for the establishment of a Joint Task Force (JTF) covering the Kwara–Kogi corridor with forward operating bases in Eruku, Babanla, Oke-Ero, and Isanlu.

The resolution include instructing the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and NEMA to provide relief to affected families in communities where schools have been shut and Mandate a 14-day Senate investigation into rising insecurity, including the roles of internal collaborators.

The lawmakers also recommend strengthening local vigilantes and reviewing Nigeria’s firearms laws to reflect current security realities, as practised in over 175 countries.

Finally, Conduct a separate investigation into the withdrawal of military personnel from the Kebbi school shortly before the abduction, Undertake diplomatic engagement with the U.S. and allied nations to enhance intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism support and observe a two-minute silence in honour of victims.