The Senate has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and national security agencies to take immediate steps toward freeing the 25 students abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State.
Lawmakers emphasized the urgency of the situation and the need for stronger security nationwide.
Alongside this call, the Senate encouraged the President, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief, to approve the enlistment of no fewer than 100,000 additional military personnel who would be properly trained and equipped to confront Nigeria’s escalating security threats.
The Upper Chamber further agreed to establish an Ad Hoc Committee drawn from the Finance, Education, Defence, Army, and Navy committees. This body will probe the Safe School Programme, reviewing its funding, implementation, and the reasons it has failed to adequately protect students across the country.
A minute of silence was observed in memory of the vice principal who lost his life during the attack. Lawmakers also offered prayers for the recovery of the school’s principal and for the safe return of any students still held captive.
These resolutions emerged after Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC, Kebbi North) moved an urgent motion describing the violent assault on the school in Maga, located in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area. He recounted how terrorists kidnapped 25 students, murdered the vice principal, and left the principal seriously wounded. Abdullahi noted that the incident mirrors a pattern of repeated attacks on educational facilities in the state.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio remarked that crime exists in every nation, including the United States, but stressed that Nigeria must work collectively to combat terrorism. He said, “Terrorism is terrorism, regardless of where it occurs. Our responsibility is to make laws and take decisions that reduce crime to the minimum.” He urged citizens to share helpful information with authorities to aid efforts to free the abducted students and ensure accountability for those responsible.
Lawmakers voiced concern about the growing pressure on security agencies. Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) observed that with a population of more than 230 million people and only about 177,000 security personnel, reaching remote regions remains challenging. He emphasized the importance of community participation and effective oversight.
Senator Mohammed Tahir Munguno (APC, Borno North) demanded firm steps to rebuild public trust, while Senator Francis Fadahunsi (APC, Osun East) highlighted the need for coordinated operations among the army, air force, and police to stop future attacks.
Senator Asuqo Ekpeyong (APC, Cross River South) added that the Senate must establish clear expectations and consequences for security agencies that fail to protect citizens, insisting that safeguarding schoolchildren is a key duty of the government.
The Senate’s overall position reflects a renewed determination to rescue the abducted students, expand the nation’s security capacity, and hold institutions accountable for the protection of schools.
What you should know
This development highlights the Senate’s growing alarm over recurring attacks on schools and the strain on Nigeria’s security forces.
Their latest resolutions show a push for stronger military capacity, closer collaboration with communities, and full scrutiny of the Safe School Programme.
The call for rapid action underscores the national urgency surrounding the rescue of the abducted students and the broader protection of children across the country.
