Dare Babalola
The Senate on Wednesday devoted significant attention to Nigeria’s worsening security situation, condemning a fresh wave of kidnappings in parts of Oyo and Kwara States while backing federal efforts to deploy forest guards to strengthen counter-banditry operations.
The debate was triggered by separate motions sponsored by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North) and Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar (Kwara North), which drew attention to the abduction of students, teachers and a toddler in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as well as the continued captivity of women and children abducted in Woro, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Lawmakers across party lines unanimously condemned the incidents, describing them as a disturbing escalation of criminal activity targeting vulnerable communities.
They called for urgent and coordinated security responses to halt the trend of mass abductions across the country.
Contributing to the debate, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards, describing the initiative as a strategic step toward confronting armed groups operating from forested hideouts.
“I commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for approving the recruitment of 1000 forest guards to go after the bandits and directing the military high command to fish out the culprits and bring them to justice,” he said.
He urged security agencies to intensify ongoing operations and sustain pressure on criminal elements, warning against any relaxation in the fight against banditry.
“We urge him not to relent or waver until the criminals are defeated,” he added.
Senator Jibrin stressed that insecurity in the country required a multi-layered approach involving the military, other security agencies, and legislative oversight to ensure accountability and effectiveness in operations.
“The issue of security is all-encompassing, involving everyone. Our Armed Forces are doing commendably well in trying to bring bandits to their knees and we equally urge them to up their campaign against bandits and other criminals,” he said.
He also noted that the Senate would intensify its oversight responsibilities to ensure that all resources and efforts committed to combating insecurity are properly deployed and accounted for.
“On our part, we are going to sharpen our oversight to make sure that accountability applies to all efforts geared toward combating banditry and other crimes,” he stated.
The Senate further adopted the two motions, formally condemning the attacks and calling for urgent action to rescue all abducted victims.
Beyond the security deliberations, the chamber also considered key legislative business. Among them was a bill for an Act to establish the Microbiology Council of Nigeria, which successfully passed second reading.
The proposed legislation seeks to regulate and standardise the practice of microbiology in the country, enhance professional conduct, and address gaps in the sector, particularly in relation to public health, food safety and environmental sustainability.
“This is of strategic importance to the public health, food safety and environmental sustainability of the nation, among others,” Barau said while leading the debate.
He explained that the proposed council would be self-financing and would not depend on government funding, adding that the absence of a regulatory body has hindered the profession’s development over the years.
“The absence of a regulatory body has long hindered the optimal growth of the profession,” he noted.
The bill received broad support from lawmakers and was referred to relevant committees for further legislative scrutiny after scaling second reading.
The Senate also considered and passed for second reading a bill to amend the Border Communities Development Agency Act to include additional border communities across the country.
In further legislative action, the chamber considered and adopted reports of relevant committees and passed the Customs, Excise Tariff, etc. (Consolidation) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, as well as the Malaria Elimination Agency Bill, 2026, for third reading.
