Senate Seeks Urgent Military Action Against Bandit Attacks Displace Communities in Kebbi State

By Fatima Saka

The Senate on Tuesday called for urgent military intervention in Kebbi State following reports that more than 200 bandits were neutralised during fierce exchanges of fire with security forces, while surviving members of the criminal groups allegedly moved into neighbouring communities, forcing residents to flee their homes.

The lawmakers warned that the development posed a serious security and humanitarian challenge, requiring coordinated federal intervention to protect lives, prevent further displacement and restore peace to affected communities.

The call followed a motion sponsored by Senator Adamu Mohammed Aliero, representing Kebbi Central Senatorial District, who drew the attention of the Senate to the worsening security situation and its consequences for residents of the affected areas.

The Senate commended the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for their sacrifices in confronting banditry and terrorism but expressed concern that surviving members of the criminal groups had reportedly established their presence in several villages.

The affected communities were identified as Togovi, Agada, Gimba, Agiru, Tendia, Tadadi, Bawangka, Kanda, Zulu and Deku-Kada.

According to the lawmakers, the reported occupation of the communities by armed groups had exposed residents to intimidation, violent attacks, destruction of property and loss of lives.

The Senate also expressed sadness over the reported killing of three employees of a company involved in the Mambilla Superhighway project, describing attacks on construction workers as a threat to public infrastructure, workers’ safety and economic development.

The lawmakers observed that the displacement of residents had resulted in an influx of internally displaced persons into local government headquarters and neighbouring host communities, placing additional pressure on public facilities and available resources.

They acknowledged the intervention of the Kebbi State Government in providing shelter, food and other assistance to affected persons but noted that the scale of displacement and growing humanitarian needs exceeded the resources available to host communities.

The Senate warned that without urgent and coordinated intervention, the affected communities could face worsening food insecurity, disruption of education, limited access to healthcare and a broader humanitarian emergency.

It stressed that residents should not be left to bear the consequences of insecurity without adequate protection and support, adding that innocent citizens should not remain displaced from their homes and livelihoods indefinitely.

Consequently, the Senate urged the Federal Government to treat the security situation in the affected communities as an urgent national security and humanitarian concern and provide the necessary operational, logistical and financial support to prevent further attacks and displacement.

The lawmakers called on the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Air Staff and the Inspector-General of Police, in collaboration with other relevant security and intelligence agencies, to intensify coordinated operations in and around the affected villages.

They also urged the security agencies to deploy adequate personnel and appropriate equipment, strengthen surveillance and intelligence gathering, and take necessary measures to apprehend those responsible for the attacks.

On the humanitarian situation, the Senate called on the Federal Government, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to immediately assess the needs of displaced persons and provide relief materials, including food, potable water, temporary shelter, clothing, medical supplies and other essential items.

It further urged relevant emergency management agencies to coordinate relief operations, monitor developments in the affected communities and ensure that no displaced household was excluded from assistance.

The lawmakers also called on the federal and state governments to facilitate the voluntary and dignified return of displaced residents to their homes once the affected communities had been secured.

They urged the relevant ministries and agencies to support the rehabilitation of affected communities, restore essential infrastructure and provide assistance to residents seeking to rebuild their livelihoods.

The Senate further called on security and investigative agencies to investigate the killings of the company’s employees and other victims of the attacks, identify the perpetrators and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice in accordance with the law.

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The lawmakers extended their condolences to families who had lost loved ones and expressed solidarity with communities affected by the security crisis.

They maintained that sustained security operations, coordinated humanitarian assistance and effective rehabilitation programmes were necessary to restore peace, protect lives and prevent further displacement in Kebbi State.