The Senate on Thursday expressed grave concern over the increasing wave of attacks by armed bandits, which have led to the deaths of military personnel and civilians in various parts of the country.
During plenary, lawmakers urged the Federal Government to direct the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Police, and other security agencies to step up their efforts and embrace innovative strategies in the fight against insecurity.
They also called for international cooperation and the adoption of advanced technological and scientific methods to improve national security and reduce casualties among security operatives.
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As part of its proceedings, the Senate held a minute of silence in honour of soldiers killed in the recent ambush in Niger State and other fallen heroes who lost their lives defending the country.
The resolutions were the outcome of a motion titled: “Armed bandits attack on the Nigerian Military Base around Kwanan Dutse, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State: Urgent need for the Federal Government to step up and upgrade its security apparatus to check the rising spate of incessant attacks by bandits and terrorists across the country.”
The motion was sponsored by Senator Abubakar Sani Bello (APC – Niger North) and co-sponsored by Senators Sani Musa (Niger East) and Peter Jiya (Niger South).
Senator Musa while presenting the lead debate said the Senate: “Notes that in the early hours of Tuesday, 24th June, 2025, the news of the unfortunate bandit’s attack on a military base around Kwanan Dutse, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State was reported across all media platforms in the country;
“Also notes with grief that in the said attack, where the military men were ambushed by the bandits, about 20 patriotic soldiers reportedly lost their lives and a score of them suffered some levels of injuries.
“Further notes that before the bandit attack in Niger State on that day, bandits also struck in Tofa village of Magami district in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where about 15 residents were killed.
“Similarly, another incident of bandit attack, led by the gang of the notorious bandits’ leader, Bello Turji, engaged our security forces in gunfire on the same day, where about 100 lives were allegedly lost near Cida village in Shinkafi Local Government of Sokoto State.
“Concerned that the area where the attack took place in Niger State is partly controlled by bandits and has been ravaged by incessant attacks on civilians, military personnel and local miners.
“These bandits are also involved in kidnapping for ransom, cattle rustling, and violence against women.
“Observes that from reported attacks by bandits from the various parts of the country, it is clear that these criminal elements are getting more and more emboldened by their heinous and nefarious activities, hence the need for adequate security measures to be put in place to nip in the bud, this rising spate of insecurity in the country.
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“Also observes that the country can only win the war against banditry and terrorism by deploying scientific and modern security apparatus as well as collaborating with other jurisdictions, which have done so much in the areas of fighting insurgency and insecurity; and
“Further observes that asymmetrical battles like the ones our military are fighting with the bandits and terrorists in the country, cannot be won by the normal conventional way of military operations, therefore, the Government must bring together all the stakeholders in the security sector to brainstorm on how best to curb this ugly menace.”
Senators supported the motion and approved the prayers when they were put to a voice vote by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary.
