Following a wave of coordinated bandit attacks that claimed at least 35 lives within a 24-hour window, the Nigerian Senate has passed a resolution calling for the immediate deployment of military and police reinforcements to Katsina State.
The motion, cited as a matter of urgent public importance, was sponsored by Senator Dandutse Mohammed (Katsina South). The resolution highlights a deteriorating security situation in the Funtua Zone, characterized by a recent ambush that killed three police officers in Guga and a string of massacres across the Faskari, Bakori, Funtua, and Kankara Local Government Areas.
Senator Mohammed warned that the violence has reached a critical tipping point, with over 50,000 farmlands abandoned due to the threat of violence. “This is a grave threat to national food security and the very livelihoods of our people,” Mohammed stated, noting that porous borders with Kaduna and Zamfara states remain exploited by criminal elements.
In response to the crisis, the Senate has officially urged the Federal Government to take the following actions:
Establishment of Military Barracks: Urged President Bola Tinubu to fulfill his previous pledge to establish a military barracks in Malumfashi to secure the Funtua Zone.
Police Strengthening: Directed the Inspector-General of Police to provide at least three Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to the newly established police squadron in the area.
Humanitarian Aid: Called upon NEMA and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to provide immediate relief to the displaced and affected families.
Budgetary Support: Senate President Godswill Akpabio assured that the 2026 Budget will prioritize increased funding for military hardware and advanced technology.
During the plenary, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibril and Senator Tahir Monguno emphasized that while current military efforts are appreciated, the scale of the “fertile agricultural hub” in Katsina requires more aggressive troop strength and technological intervention. Senator Ahmed Wadada further cautioned against negotiating with bandits, calling instead for enhanced intelligence gathering.
In his closing remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio advocated for the deployment of sophisticated drones to monitor hard-to-reach terrains. He also issued a stern warning against internal collaborators who leak intelligence to criminals, undermining national security.
The Senate observed a minute of silence for the victims and committed to following up with the Executive branch to ensure that these resolutions lead to the timely release of funds and boots on the ground.
