Senate condemns killing of 56 in Niger
…seeks additional security operatives in affected LGAs The Senate on Tuesday condemned in strong terms the killing of at least 56 persons and the abduction of women and children in
…seeks additional security operatives in affected LGAs
The Senate on Tuesday condemned in strong terms the killing of at least 56 persons and the abduction of women and children in Konkoso Village, Niger State, describing the attack as brutal and unacceptable.
The attack occurred on February 14 when terrorists invaded communities in Borgu Local Government Area, killing residents, abducting several others, and razing houses, including a police station.
The upper chamber called for the immediate deployment of additional security personnel to the affected local government areas to strengthen rapid response and forestall further attacks.
Advertisement
300x250
It also mandated its Committees on Defence, Army, Air Force, Police Affairs, and National Security to conduct a joint assessment of the security situation and report back within four weeks.
The Senate observed a minute of silence in honour of the victims and extended condolences to the bereaved families, as well as the government and people of Niger State.
The resolutions followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (Niger East).
READ ALSO: First Lady urges prayers for Nigeria as Ramadan begins
Moving the motion, Musa informed the Senate that more than 56 citizens were killed in Konkoso and nearby Pissa villages, while several women and children were abducted.
He said the affected communities share boundaries with strategic forests linking neighbouring states, which have become corridors exploited by terrorists for cross-border movements and coordinated criminal operations.
Advertisement
300x250
“The North Central region has witnessed rising attacks on rural communities and farmlands, threatening food security, local economies, and broader national stability,” he said.
Musa commended President Bola Tinubu and security agencies for sustained counter-terrorism efforts and the sacrifices of troops confronting violent extremism.
However, he expressed concern that repeated assaults on remote communities expose gaps in intelligence gathering, coordination, rapid response, and sustained territorial security presence.
“The abduction of women and children has deepened the humanitarian crisis, inflicting lasting psychological trauma on families and destabilising affected communities,” he added.
Musa warned that without structural reforms and modernisation of Nigeria’s security framework, similar tragedies could persist despite ongoing military and intelligence operations.
Seconding the motion, Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Mohammed Monguno (Borno North), called for increased budgetary allocation to security agencies to address the security challenge.
“In the course of the ongoing budget defence, we discovered that there were zero capital budget releases to security agencies,” he said.
“So, in line with the President’s declaration of a state of emergency on security, prominence should be given to security agencies,” Monguno added.
