The House of Representatives has scheduled a full-day national security debate for Thursday, amid worsening killings, mass abductions, and violent attacks across the country.
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen announced the decision during Tuesday’s plenary session, stressing that the alarming deterioration of security demands urgent, collective intervention from lawmakers and security agencies.
The move follows growing international attention on Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly after recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that “record numbers of Christians” were being killed in the country—comments that have been widely disputed but have nonetheless drawn global scrutiny. Trump went further, threatening “fast, vicious, and sweet” military action should the situation persist.
Tensions rose on the floor of the House when Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda sought to move a motion on the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the killing of a military general. Speaker Abbas, however, stepped down the motion, noting that the House had already designated Thursday exclusively for deliberations on national security.
“We are deeply saddened by what has happened—these very unfortunate incidents,” Abbas said. “I announced earlier that we will dedicate the whole of Thursday to security-related matters, and this particular event is one of the reasons behind that decision.”
The Speaker urged security agencies to intensify their operations and overhaul their strategies in the face of persistent attacks.
“I call on all security agencies to step up all actions and strategies to ensure the lives and properties of Nigerians are secured,” he added.
Abbas further directed members to come fully prepared with detailed security reports from their constituencies.
“Every member is invited to make submissions on insecurity in his state or constituency. Thursday will give us the opportunity to hear, in detail, the security issues bedevilling our constituencies and states,” he said.
The House is expected to make far-reaching recommendations following Thursday’s debate.
