The House of Representatives has fixed Thursday for a full-day national security debate as killings, mass abductions and violent attacks continue to spread across the country.
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen announced the plan at plenary on Tuesday, saying the deteriorating security situation requires urgent and collective action from lawmakers and security agencies.
The decision comes amid fresh global attention on Nigeria’s security crisis following recent comments by United States President Donald Trump, who claimed “record numbers of Christians” were being killed in the country.
Trump further warned that the U.S. “would not allow it to continue,” even threatening “fast, vicious, and sweet” military action.
Although his claims have been disputed, the violence has persisted nationwide.
Tension was evident in the chamber when Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, attempted to move a motion on the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the killing of a military general.
Abbas, however, stepped it down, explaining that the House had already set aside Thursday strictly for security matters.
“We are deeply saddened by what has happened – very unfortunate incidents.
“I announced earlier that we will dedicate the whole of Thursday to security-related matters, and this particular event is one of the reasons that informed our decision,” Abbas said.
The Speaker urged security agencies to intensify their operations and rethink their strategies.
“I call on all security agencies to please step up all actions and strategies to ensure the lives and properties of Nigerians are secured,” he said.
He also directed lawmakers to come prepared with detailed reports from their constituencies.
“Every member is invited to make submissions on insecurity in his state or constituency. Thursday will give us the opportunity to hear, in detail, all the security issues bedevilling our constituencies and our states,” he added.
Credit: punchng.com
