The Senate has launched a major investigation into the abduction of 24 female students at Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, after allegations that a military commander ordered troops to withdraw shortly before the attack.
Governor Nasir Idris had raised the alarm immediately after the incident, which allowed bandits to kidnap the girls unchallenged. The students were released after a week in captivity.
Lawmakers also resolved to probe the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba, ambushed and murdered by terrorists in Borno State. Senate President Godswill Akpabio and several senators alleged that someone within the General’s team leaked his location, enabling the attackers to capture and kill him.
During the heated debate, the Senate declared kidnapping an act of terrorism and approved the death penalty for offenders. The resolution came after Kwara Senator Lola Ashiru lamented recurring attacks in his state, including the abductions in Eruku and Isapa communities.
Senator Sani Musa expressed concern that 58 abductees were rescued without any exchange of gunfire, suggesting ransom may have been paid. He argued that terrorists using mobile phones should be easily tracked by the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Ministry of Communications. Musa also insisted that intermediaries negotiating ransoms must be identified.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe accused the government of withholding the truth about worsening insecurity, noting that communities in Katsina and Zamfara pay taxes to terrorists. Others, including Senators Abdul Ningi, Sadiq Umar and Yahaya Abdullahi, argued that collaborators must be prosecuted, terrorists must be pursued and eliminated, and gaps in military operations urgently addressed.
Lawmakers further pushed for amending the Firearms Act to allow responsible citizens to bear arms for self-defence, citing overstretched security forces. The matter has been referred to the Senate’s security committees, which are expected to report back within two weeks.
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