Opposition lawmakers ask Tinubu to deploy overwhelming force against terrorists, release El-Rufai

The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has called on President Bola Tinubu to take immediate and decisive action to end the worsening wave of terrorism, banditry, killings and abductions across Northern Nigeria.

The caucus said the scale and frequency of attacks had become intolerable, with Nigerians being killed in their homes, farms and communities, while others were abducted while observing religious services.

The call was contained in a statement signed by Fredrick Agbedi, Leader of the Minority Caucus, and Afam Ogene, its spokesperson, on Thursday.

The lawmakers urged Mr Tinubu to deploy a sustained and intelligence-led military operation to reclaim communities and forests occupied by terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups.

They said the government could no longer afford to respond to attacks principally with statements of condemnation after each incident.

“The scale and frequency of the attacks have become intolerable,” the lawmakers said, noting that families had been separated, children abducted from schools and entire communities forced to abandon their ancestral homes.

The caucus cited recent attacks in several states as evidence of the deteriorating security situation.

In Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, it said more than 20 people had been killed in recent attacks, including at least 23 victims in one incident.

It also cited the attack on communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, where armed men reportedly abducted more than 60 worshippers during Friday prayers.

The lawmakers said many of those abducted remained unaccounted for.

In Sokoto State, the caucus said at least 40 people, including the Chief Imam of Ungushi community, were killed in an attack in Kebbe Local Government Area.

It also cited the killing of at least 30 people in Naridon village, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, while noting that reprisal attacks by bandits continued to claim lives in Katsina State.

Demand intelligence-led military operation

The lawmakers urged Mr Tinubu to replicate on a larger scale the strategy used to rescue schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

According to the caucus, the victims were rescued following an intelligence-led operation targeting the kidnappers’ networks and hideouts.

The lawmakers called for affected theatres of operation to be “locked down” to deny terrorists and bandits freedom of movement.

They urged the military and other security agencies to search forests, hideouts and criminal enclaves where the groups operate, cut their supply lines and communications and sustain operations until the criminals are neutralised and abducted citizens rescued.

“We are not asking the President to lock down innocent Nigerians. We are asking the Commander-in-Chief to lock down the operational space of terrorists and bandits,” they said.

The caucus said the operation must be intelligence-led, professionally executed and sustained.

Tinubu should visit affected communities

The lawmakers also asked Mr Tinubu to demonstrate greater visibility in communities affected by insecurity.

They said the president, having visited Plateau State, should proceed to Zamfara State and travel to Illela to engage directly with communities affected by terrorism and banditry.

“Nigerians need to see their president physically present in the places where their fellow citizens are being killed and abducted,” the caucus said.

It described such visibility as necessary leadership during a national security emergency.

Calls to release $5bn for security

The lawmakers also called on the federal government to provide whatever resources are required to prosecute the war against terrorism and banditry.

They specifically proposed that the government draw $5 billion from the country’s external reserves for an “extraordinary national security intervention” if funding was a constraint.

The caucus argued that protecting citizens should remain the government’s foremost responsibility.

“The primary purpose of government is the welfare and security of the people, and no expenditure can be more fundamental than protecting the lives and livelihoods of Nigerian citizens,” it said.

Seek immediate implementation of soldiers’ salary increase

The lawmakers welcomed the recent increase in the salaries of members of the Armed Forces, describing it as an important step towards improving the welfare and morale of soldiers.

However, they urged the president to immediately forward to the National Assembly the necessary amendment to the 2026 Appropriation Act and a supplementary appropriation bill to provide the legal and financial framework for implementing the salary increase.

The caucus said it was prepared to join other lawmakers in reconvening immediately, if necessary, to consider the measures.

“The welfare of our soldiers cannot be subjected to avoidable procedural delays when the nation is at war with terrorists and bandits,” it said.

‘Nigerians do not need condolences’

The caucus said the country had reached a critical point where stronger action was required to protect citizens.

It said Nigerians needed security rather than repeated condolences and urged the president to move from reacting to attacks to preventing them.

“President Tinubu has the constitutional authority, the military capacity and the national mandate to act. He must act now,” the lawmakers said.

“The bloodshed in Northern Nigeria must stop. The abducted must be rescued. The terrorists and bandits must be defeated. And every Nigerian, regardless of where they live, must be able to sleep, farm, travel, worship and send their children to school without fear.”

Caucus demands El-Rufai’s release

The lawmakers also demanded the immediate release of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, whose continued detention they described as increasingly resembling political persecution.

The caucus said its concern extended beyond Mr El-Rufai to the credibility and consistency of the federal government’s anti-corruption campaign.

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It questioned the government’s commitment to an even-handed anti-corruption fight, citing the composition of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council and the roles given to individuals who, according to the caucus, had faced serious corruption allegations and public controversy.

The lawmakers argued that the continued detention of Mr El-Rufai raised questions about whether anti-corruption enforcement was being applied consistently and without political considerations.

They consequently described Mr El-Rufai as a “political prisoner” and demanded his immediate release.

“The fight against corruption must be a fight against corruption, not a fight against political opponents,” the caucus said.