The Nigerian Senate has mandated a full investigation into the Safe School Fund after armed assailants abducted 25 schoolgirls and killed the vice-principal at the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State.
During Tuesday’s plenary, lawmakers also urged President Bola Tinubu to approve the recruitment of at least 100,000 additional military personnel to bolster national efforts against insurgency, banditry, and attacks targeting schools.
The upper chamber resolved to form an ad hoc committee, comprising members from the Senate Committees on Finance, Education, Defence, Army, and Navy. The committee will examine the implementation, funding, and expenditure of the Safe School Programme, as well as identify lapses that left schools vulnerable.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North), who called for increased military recruitment and a nationwide security audit, said the magnitude of insecurity in Nigeria requires urgent and deliberate action. He also questioned the allocation and utilization of funds earmarked for the Safe School Programme.
“I urge the federal government and the relevant Senate committees to investigate the Safe School programme funds. Security agencies should also leverage technology and tracking systems to apprehend these criminals,” Oshiomhole said.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio acknowledged that no country is free from crime but emphasized the need for nationwide collaboration across religious and regional lines to tackle insecurity. He extended condolences to the families of victims and urged citizens with information to assist security agencies in the safe recovery of the abducted girls.
Senator Abdullahi, who presented the motion, highlighted that despite some police presence, terrorists were able to invade the school, abducting 25 girls, killing the vice-principal, and injuring the principal. He described the recurring attacks on schools as a national disgrace and called for immediate action to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Other senators, including Sani Musa (Niger East), Mohammed Tahir Munguno (Borno North), Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), and Asuquo Ekpeyong (Cross River South), echoed concerns over the country’s inadequate security, calling for stronger coordination among security forces, community involvement, and clear accountability measures to prevent future attacks.
The Senate observed a one-minute silence in honour of the victims of the Kebbi school attack.
