- the demand followed a heated debate triggered by the attack on Government Girls’ Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State
- He also extended condolences to the victims of the Kebbi school attack
- Oshiomhole argued that the armed forces must be strengthened with a large recruitment drive
The Senate has called on President Bola Tinubu to authorise the immediate recruitment of 100,000 additional military personnel to confront the growing wave of insecurity, including insurgency, banditry, and the recent surge in school abductions across the country.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the demand followed a heated debate triggered by the attack on Government Girls’ Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, where gunmen killed a vice principal and kidnapped 25 students, reigniting concerns over the safety of schools nationwide.
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During Tuesday’s plenary, lawmakers also raised fresh doubts over the implementation of the Safe School Programme, questioning how funds allocated to the initiative have been utilised despite recurring attacks on educational institutions.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who moved the additional prayers, insisted that Nigeria’s current security challenges require both immediate military expansion and a thorough audit of all spending tied to school protection.
Oshiomhole argued that the armed forces must be strengthened with a large recruitment drive, not only to improve operations but also to create employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
He emphasised the need for transparency in security spending, warning that the sector must not become a “money-making venture” for individuals benefiting from the nation’s grief.
He urged the Federal Government and relevant Senate committees to investigate the Safe School funds and demanded improved deployment of technology, including tracking devices, to aid security agencies in tackling criminal operations.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio backed the call for massive recruitment and supported the probe into the Safe School Programme, cautioning lawmakers against politicising the nation’s security woes.
He also extended condolences to the victims of the Kebbi school attack, stressing that all lives remain equal regardless of the administration in power.
Despite Nigeria’s military ranking and existing personnel strength, senators maintained that the country’s security demands far outweigh its operational capacity, reinforcing the push for new troops and stronger protection for vulnerable schools.
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