The Nigerian Senate has initiated a crucial legislative process to strengthen the country's anti-terrorism laws, responding to the escalating security crisis affecting numerous communities nationwide.
Terrorism Act Amendment Advances
During Thursday's plenary session, senators passed the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act Amendment Bill through its first reading. The proposed legislation, championed by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, emerges just one day after lawmakers reached consensus during intense debates on Nigeria's deteriorating security situation.
The parliamentary discussions concluded that kidnapping should be officially classified as an act of terrorism and subject to the most severe punishment under Nigerian law. This legislative move aims to establish a more rigorous legal structure as senators advocate for stricter consequences in reaction to the disturbing surge in abductions throughout the country.
Safe School Initiative Investigation
In related developments, the Senate constituted an 18-member ad hoc committee tasked with examining the implementation of the Safe School Initiative. The upper chamber appointed Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to lead this investigation as committee chairman.
The investigative panel includes several distinguished senators such as Tony Nwoye, Yemi Adaramodu, Harry Ipalibo, Ede Dafinone, Mustapha Saliu, Diket Plang, Binus Yaroe, Kaka Shehu, and Musa Garba Maidoki, among other members.
This decision followed growing apprehension about how allocated funds have been utilized, particularly considering the persistent attacks targeting educational institutions. Legislators expressed bewilderment about why schools remain vulnerable despite years of financial allocations, a concern amplified by the recent deadly assault at Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State.
During this tragic incident, armed assailants killed the vice principal and allegedly abducted 25 students. The committee has received a clear mandate to conduct a comprehensive probe into the program and is expected to present its findings within four weeks.
National Security Crisis Deepens
These parliamentary actions occur against the backdrop of widespread insecurity across Nigeria. Last week, gunmen stormed St. Mary's Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, kidnapping more than 300 pupils and teachers.
Similar attacks and mass abductions have been documented in Kwara, Kano, and Borno states, highlighting the national scale of the security challenge.
In response to this escalating crisis, President Bola Tinubu declared a national security emergency on Wednesday and ordered accelerated recruitment into the armed forces and police services. The President also authorized the utilization of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as training facilities and directed that officers withdrawn from VIP protection duties undergo intensive training before redeployment to high-risk zones.
Additionally, the President empowered the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately deploy trained forest guards to eliminate terrorists and bandits hiding in forests throughout Nigeria.
