A $5 billion intervention from Nigeria’s external reserves could be deployed to strengthen the fight against terrorism and banditry in the North, according to the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives. The lawmakers urged President Bola Tinubu to take immediate and comprehensive measures to address the worsening security situation across several northern states.
The proposal was contained in a statement signed by the caucus leader, Hon. Fredrick Agbedi, and spokesperson, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene. The caucus described the frequency of killings, abductions and attacks as intolerable, citing recent incidents in Plateau, Niger, Sokoto, Kaduna and Katsina states.
The lawmakers also expressed concern over children abducted from schools in Borno State, saying some families were still awaiting their rescue. They said the crisis could no longer be addressed mainly through statements condemning attacks after they occur.
“Nigeria requires a sustained, coordinated and overwhelming security response”, the caucus said.
The lawmakers urged Tinubu to expand the intelligence-led strategy that helped secure the rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. They called for sustained security operations in forests, hideouts and other criminal enclaves used by terrorists and bandits.
The caucus also urged the President to visit Zamfara State and engage directly with communities affected by insecurity. On funding, the lawmakers said the government should provide the resources necessary to prosecute the war against terrorists and bandits.
“If funding is an issue, the government should draw $5 billion from the nation’s external reserves for an extraordinary national security intervention”, they said.
The caucus welcomed the recent increase in Armed Forces salaries, describing it as necessary to improve soldiers’ welfare, morale and motivation, but Tinubu to forward the necessary amendment to the 2026 Appropriation Act and the required Supplementary Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly to provide the legal and financial framework for the increase.
While questioning the consistency of the Federal Government’s anti-corruption campaign and arguing that the fight against corruption should not be used to target political opponents, the Minority Caucus also demanded the immediate release of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, describing his continued detention as political persecution.
They urged the President to move beyond condolences and take proactive steps to prevent attacks and protect communities.
“President Tinubu has the constitutional authority, the military capacity and the national mandate to act. He must act now,”,the lawmakers said.
