Insecurity: Senate seeks campaign suspension in eight nothern states

The Senate on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to consider far-reaching emergency measures, including the possible suspension of political activities in eight frontline states, as insecurity continues to escalate across parts of the country.

The call, which underscores growing concern within the National Assembly over renewed insurgent offensives, followed a point of order raised by the lawmaker representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi, during plenary.

He said, “Mr President, we cannot continue to think that because we are in Abuja, therefore this thing (insecurity) does not affect us.

“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’s warning comes amid a resurgence of attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East, including coordinated assaults on military formations and fresh threats issued against any forceful rescue attempts of abducted civilians.

The Upper Chamber, in a related resolution, called on 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 the consideration of a motion titled “Urgent need to curb attacks on military formations by Boko Haram insurgents,” sponsored by Tahir Monguno and co-sponsored by Ali Ndume and Kaka Lawan.

Leading the debate on the motion, Monguno expressed concern over recent coordinated attacks on military formations in Monguno and Benisheikh, warning that the renewed wave of violence was eroding gains recorded in counter-insurgency operations and posing a serious threat to national security.

Adding his voice, Ndume raised alarm over the fate of the abducted victims, noting that insurgents had issued fresh threats to disperse them if urgent steps were not taken.

He called for swift intervention by both the National Assembly and the Presidency.

Also contributing, Diket Plang (APC, Plateau Central) said the continued targeting of military personnel was heightening fear across the country, warning 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 further called on the Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs to “conduct a comprehensive operational and logistical audit of the affected military formations to identify and address gaps in equipment and operational strategy.”

They also urged the Armed Forces to “strengthen adherence to rules of engagement and international humanitarian law” and to “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.

The latest concerns follow the emergence of a video released by a faction of Boko Haram, Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad, which reportedly showed 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 lead to the victims being dispersed.

The victims were abducted after insurgents attacked a military base in Ngoshe in early March, reportedly burning operational vehicles, dispersing security personnel and killing an unspecified number of people before taking several others into captivity.

The developments further heightened anxiety in affected communities and renewed calls for decisive action to stem the tide of insurgency, which has persisted in the region for over a decade despite sustained military operations.