The Senate on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to consider sweeping emergency measures, including the possible suspension of political activities in eight northern states severely affected by insecurity.
The recommendation followed a point of order raised during plenary by Abdul Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central. He warned that the worsening security situation required urgent and decisive action, stressing that the crisis should not be downplayed because lawmakers are based in Abuja.
Ningi suggested that political activities be halted nationwide or, at the very least, in frontline states such as Borno, Plateau, Bauchi, Benue, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi and parts of Kano until the situation improves. He lamented what he described as inadequate response to the persistent threat, noting that repeated discussions without concrete action would not resolve the crisis.
The Senate’s concern comes amid renewed attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East, including coordinated assaults on military formations and fresh threats against attempts to rescue abducted civilians.
In a related resolution, the upper chamber urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure the release of 416 women, children and elderly persons reportedly abducted in Borno State since March 30, 2026.
The resolution followed deliberation on a motion sponsored by Tahir Monguno and co-sponsored by Ali Ndume and Kaka Lawan. Leading the debate, Monguno warned that recent coordinated attacks in Monguno and Benisheikh were undermining gains made in counter-insurgency operations and posing a significant threat to national security.
Ndume also raised concerns over the fate of the abducted victims, noting that insurgents had issued threats to disperse them if urgent action was not taken. He called for immediate intervention by both the National Assembly and the Presidency.
Contributing to the debate, Diket Plang warned that the continued targeting of military personnel, including senior officers, was deepening fear across the country and reflecting the fragile state of national security.
In its resolutions, the Senate condemned the persistent attacks on military formations and observed a minute of silence in honour of fallen soldiers. Lawmakers also called on the Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs to carry out a comprehensive audit of affected military formations to address operational and logistical gaps.
They further urged the Armed Forces to uphold rules of engagement and international humanitarian law, while investigating allegations of civilian harm during operations. The Senate also encouraged communities to provide timely and credible intelligence to security agencies and commended troops of Operation Hadin Kai for their efforts.
The concerns were heightened by a video reportedly released by a faction of Boko Haram, Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad, showing abducted victims in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. In the footage, the insurgents warned against rescue attempts and threatened to disperse the victims if their demands were not met within 72 hours.
The victims were abducted following an attack on a military base in Ngoshe in early March, during which insurgents reportedly destroyed operational vehicles, overran security personnel and killed several افراد before taking others captive. The development has intensified anxiety in affected communities and renewed calls for decisive action to curb the prolonged insurgency in the region.
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