In response to the abduction of 25 students from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga in Kebbi State, the Senate has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently approve the recruitment of at least 100,000 Nigerians into the military to strengthen national security.

The Senate also established an ad hoc committee to investigate the funds allocated to the Safe School Initiative and demanded the immediate rescue of all abducted students.

The resolutions followed an urgent motion presented by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC Kebbi North), highlighting the gravity of the abduction and the killing of the school’s Vice Principal by bandits in the early hours of Monday.

Senator Abdullahi described the attack as “a dirty slap on the face of the nation” that requires immediate attention. He warned that the continued abduction of schoolchildren threatens the education of Nigerian youths and could hinder national growth and development.

Contributing to the motion, Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC Borno North), called the act “dastardly” and urged all Nigerians to oppose such crimes.

Senator Francis Fadahunsi (APC Osun East) questioned why banditry and terrorism persist despite government efforts, warning that the nation must address the menace before foreign powers intervene. “The more President Tinubu struggles to end banditry and terrorism, the more kidnappings continue. Crime is spreading every day,” he said.

Senator Sani Musa (APC Niger East) emphasized that an urgent recruitment of additional military personnel is necessary to secure ungoverned areas exploited by criminal elements.

Former Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan (APC Yobe North), called for a review of the Safe School Programme, implemented after the 2014 Chibok girls abduction, noting that schools remain unsafe and the funds allocated require thorough scrutiny.

After extensive debate, the Senate reiterated the call for the immediate rescue of the abducted pupils and urged the President to direct the military to recruit 100,000 officers promptly to combat banditry and terrorism more effectively.

The Senate’s Committees on Finance, Education, and Defence were mandated to investigate the Safe School Initiative funds. A minute of silence was observed for the Vice Principal of the school and Brigadier General Uba Musa, who was killed by ISWAP terrorists in Damboa, Borno State.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio remarked, “No country is free of crime, not even the United States. But our duty is to enact laws, pass motions, and take decisions that reduce crime to the minimum. Crime does not belong to any administration. We urge the Armed Forces and all Nigerians with useful information to assist in securing the release of these children and ensuring justice for the victims.”