Members of the House of Representatives, during a special plenary on Wednesday, proposed comprehensive reforms across military operations, judicial processes, recruitment systems, and community engagement to tackle the country’s escalating security challenges.
Leading the debate, former Deputy Speaker Rep. Idris Wase (APC–Plateau) noted that Nigeria accounts for 52 per cent of insecurity incidents in the sub-region. He emphasised that these acts should be treated as criminality rather than targeted attacks on Christians or minority groups.
Wase raised concerns over the recruitment process in security agencies, warning that armed robbers and terrorists had infiltrated the system. He urged politicians recommending personnel to ensure minimum standards and called for accountability for those sabotaging operations within the military and other security agencies.
He also highlighted the need for better synergy among security agencies, noting that intelligence reports often precede attacks but are sometimes ignored, with officers redeployed prematurely. Wase recommended judicial reforms to ensure speedy trials, warning against prolonged detention of alleged criminals.
Other lawmakers echoed the call for reforms. Rep. Sada Soli (APC-Katsina) stressed full community involvement in security operations, while Rep. Aliyu Betara (APC-Borno) urged increased capital expenditure for the swift procurement of military hardware. Rep. Ibrahim Isiaka (APC-Ondo) advocated stronger cross-border cooperation, and Rep. Enwo Igariwey (PDP-Ebonyi) called for implementation of documented solutions to insecurity.
Rep. Solomon Bob (PDP-Rivers) condemned negotiations with terrorists, highlighting that abductors often go unpunished while victims are rescued. He called for an immediate halt to such negotiations and the arrest of those publicly defending terrorist acts.
The plenary underscored a consensus that Nigeria’s security architecture requires urgent reforms, coordinated action, and strict enforcement to protect citizens and curb criminal activity.
