THE Senate on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to consider sweeping emergency measures, including the possible suspension of political activities in eight frontline states, as insecurity continues to worsen across parts of the country.
News Point Nigeria reports that the call, reflecting growing concern within the National Assembly over renewed insurgent offensives, followed a point of order raised during plenary by the lawmaker representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi.
Raising the alarm, Ningi stressed that insecurity was a national issue that should not be dismissed simply because lawmakers sit in Abuja.
“Mr President, we cannot continue to think that because we are in Abuja, therefore this thing (insecurity) does not affect us,” he said.
He proposed drastic steps to address the situation, suggesting that political activities be suspended nationwide or at least in the most affected states.
“One of the things that we must do, and I want us to take this issue very seriously, is either to suspend all political activities across this country or look at the frontline states of Borno, Plateau, Bauchi, Benue, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi and some parts of Kano.
“We need to suspend activities in these states until we are sufficiently certain that the insecurity challenges are over.
“This is because we are not dealing with this insecurity issue at all. And I am not blaming anybody. We cannot come here every time to lament,” Ningi added.
The warning comes amid a resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in the North-East, including coordinated assaults on military formations and fresh threats against any forceful rescue attempts of abducted civilians.
In a related resolution, the Upper Chamber urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure the release of 416 women, children and elderly persons reportedly held captive by insurgents in Borno State since March 30, 2026.
The resolution followed consideration of a motion titled “Urgent need to curb attacks on military formations by Boko Haram insurgents,” sponsored by Senator Tahir Monguno and co-sponsored by Ali Ndume and Kaka Lawan.
Leading the debate, Monguno expressed deep concern over recent coordinated attacks on military formations in Monguno and Benisheikh, warning that the renewed wave of violence was eroding gains made in counter-insurgency operations and posing a serious threat to national security.
Adding his voice, Ndume raised fresh alarm over the fate of the abducted victims, noting that insurgents had threatened to disperse them if urgent action was not taken. He called for swift intervention by both the National Assembly and the Presidency.
Also contributing, Diket Plang (APC, Plateau Central) warned that the continued targeting of military personnel was heightening fear nationwide, stressing that the killing of senior officers and security operatives sent a dangerous signal about the state of national security.
In its resolutions, the Senate strongly condemned the continued attacks by Boko Haram on military formations and observed a minute of silence in honour of fallen soldiers.
Lawmakers also called on the Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs to conduct a comprehensive operational and logistical audit of affected military formations to identify and address gaps in equipment and operational strategy.
They further urged the Armed Forces to strengthen adherence to rules of engagement and international humanitarian law, as well as thoroughly investigate allegations of harm to civilians during military operations.
The Senate encouraged local communities to support security agencies with credible and timely information, while commending troops of Operation Hadin Kai for their bravery in the face of ongoing threats.
The latest concerns come on the heels of a video reportedly released by a faction of Boko Haram, Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad, showing dozens of abducted victims in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
In the footage, the insurgents warned against any rescue attempt and threatened that failure to meet their demands within 72 hours could result in the victims being dispersed.
The victims were abducted following an attack on a military base in Ngoshe in early March, during which insurgents reportedly burned operational vehicles, scattered security personnel and killed an unspecified number of people before taking several others into captivity.