The Niger State House of Assembly has issued a stern warning that it may completely suspend all legislative activities if the escalating security crisis in the state is not addressed immediately. The lawmakers expressed deep concern that the state is under a severe siege from bandits and terrorist groups.
Motion on Kidnapped Students Triggers Action
The assembly's decision was prompted by a motion of urgent public importance presented by Hon. Mohammed Nura Agwara, the legislator representing the Agwara constituency. He described the abduction of students from St. Mary’s Catholic Missionary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Council, as a tragic and deeply worrisome event. The lawmakers unanimously condemned the kidnapping, which occurred on Friday, 21st November 2025, stating that the security situation is rapidly escalating beyond control.
Speaker's Grave Warning and Economic Impact
Presiding over the session, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, declared that the House would not hesitate to halt all legislative business until concrete measures are implemented to improve security. He emphasized that the state's dire security challenges have gained international attention, leading to investors pulling out and contractors abandoning various road project sites.
Sarkindaji revealed a devastating human cost, stating that over 50 communities, including his own political ward, have been displaced from their ancestral homes within the Mariga Constituency. He lamented that farmers who once harvested hundreds of bags of grains are now reduced to begging for food. "We can no longer stay silent as representatives of the people," he maintained.
Resolutions and Call for Federal Action
The Speaker criticized the lack of action despite numerous appeals by Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago for security reinforcement. He specifically pointed to known bandit routes across the state, expressing confidence that the abducted students are being moved through these same paths, likely towards Zamfara State.
In response, the House unanimously adopted a four-point resolution:
- Urging the federal government to mobilize all available resources for the immediate rescue of the abducted students.
- Calling for the deployment of troops to strategic locations and identified bandit routes.
- Pledging to collaborate with federal lawmakers from the state to present these resolutions at the National Assembly.
The assembly's ultimatum underscores a critical juncture for Niger State, where legislative functions are now directly tied to the restoration of public safety.
