The Nigerian Senate has called on President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to urgently rescue 25 students abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State.
In a resolution passed on Tuesday, the Senate also urged President Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to immediately recruit at least 100,000 additional military personnel, fully trained and equipped, to tackle the country’s growing security challenges and increasing population.
The Upper Chamber resolved to set up an Ad Hoc Committee comprising members from the Finance, Education, Defence, Army, and Navy committees to review the Safe School Programme, examining its funding, expenditure, and effectiveness in safeguarding schools.
Senators observed a minute of silence in honor of the vice principal killed during the attack and prayed for the recovery of the principal and any students still in captivity.
The resolutions followed an urgent motion by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC, Kebbi North), who described the attack on the school in Maga, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area. Despite some police presence, terrorists abducted 25 students, killed the vice principal, and injured the principal. Abdullahi noted similar attacks have occurred in Kebbi, including a 2022 incident where abducted girls were held for four years before being rescued.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio condemned the attack, emphasizing that terrorism affects all countries, including the United States. “Our responsibility is to make laws, pass motions, and take decisions that reduce crime,” he said, urging Nigerians to provide information that could help secure the students’ release.
Senators stressed the need for a coordinated approach to insecurity. Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) highlighted that the armed forces, with 177,000 personnel, are overstretched for a population of over 230 million, calling for greater involvement of traditional rulers, communities, and citizens.
Other senators, including Mohammed Tahir Munguno (APC, Borno North) and Francis Fadahunsi (APC, Osun East), called for swift parliamentary support for the President’s directives and better coordination among security agencies to prevent future kidnappings. Senator Asuqo Ekpeyong (APC, Cross River South) urged decisive action, clear ultimatums, and accountability to protect children and communities.
The Senate’s resolutions highlight the urgent need to rescue the abducted students, expand military capacity, and strengthen the Safe School Programme to prevent further attacks on Nigeria’s schools.
