Minority Caucus to Tinubu: Stop Bloodshed in Northern Nigeria, Act Now on Terrorism, Banditry

The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has urged President Bola Tinubu to take urgent action against terrorism and banditry in northern Nigeria. In a statement, the caucus expressed deep concern over the growing frequency and intensity of attacks, which have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people and the abduction of numerous citizens.

They highlighted specific incidents in Plateau, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbe, Kaura, and Katsina States, where scores of lives were lost and families were left in anguish due to the kidnapping of loved ones. The caucus emphasized that a sustained, coordinated, and overwhelming security response is required to address the issue, rather than relying solely on statements of condemnation.

They called on President Tinubu to adopt the same intelligence-led strategy that led to the rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State. The caucus further requested the President to lock down affected areas, dominate the territory, and target terrorist hideouts in order to neutralize the threat. They emphasized that it is not an attack on innocent Nigerians but rather a call to secure the operational space of terrorists and bandits, cut off their supply lines, and deploy overwhelming force against them.

President Tinubu should lead from the front, visiting affected states and engaging directly with communities affected by terrorism and banditry. In addition to asking for immediate funding support, the caucus urged the government to release former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who has been detained under questionable circumstances, describing the situation as political persecution.