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The Senate has intensified calls for urgent intervention by the Nigerian Government and security agencies to secure the release of victims still being held captive following the recent abduction of students, pupils, and teachers from schools in Oyo State.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, who drew the attention of the Senate to the attack in which 46 people, including schoolchildren and teachers, were abducted.
However, lawmakers rejected a proposal seeking an audit of military spending despite growing concerns over persistent insecurity, banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency across the country.
The proposal was introduced by Senator Adams Oshiomhole during debate on the motion. He argued that the National Assembly had a duty to assess the implementation of previous resolutions and scrutinise how resources allocated to the armed forces had been utilised.
Oshiomhole noted that the Senate had not adequately reviewed the outcomes of past resolutions or examined whether military resources were being effectively deployed.
He maintained that a comprehensive audit of security operations and defence spending was necessary to determine whether appropriated funds were achieving the intended results.
According to him, lawmakers are entitled to receive feedback on funds approved for defence and security, adding that an audit would help determine whether resources are being utilised optimally.
Despite his argument, the proposal did not receive support on the floor and failed to attract a seconder.
During deliberations, several senators urged state governments to strengthen local security measures and to complement federal efforts to address insecurity.
Other lawmakers, including Senator Musa, called on the President to demand greater accountability from the service chiefs and review the effectiveness of security spending. He expressed concern that despite the substantial allocations consistently provided to the defence sector, insecurity remains widespread, stressing that Nigerians deserve to know how the funds are being used and the impact they are having.
Musa argued that meaningful progress against insecurity would require closer scrutiny of security expenditure and stronger accountability mechanisms.
Oshiomhole also referenced the abduction of schoolchildren in Kebbi State earlier in the year, where the state government alleged that military personnel had been withdrawn from the area shortly before the attack occurred.
He recalled that the Senate had passed a resolution directing military authorities to identify the officer responsible for ordering the withdrawal but lamented that no action had been taken.
As part of its resolutions, the Senate called on the Nigerian Government to strengthen and expand the Safe Schools Initiative by enhancing surveillance, improving intelligence gathering, and increasing security deployments around vulnerable schools and communities across the country.
