In an unusual display of international interest, officials from the U.S. Embassy were present Tuesday November 25th during a special plenary session of Nigeria’s House of Representatives convened to address the escalating national security crisis.
The session, called off regular parliamentary business to prioritise security concerns, featured sombre speeches from lawmakers who decried the recent surge in kidnappings, attacks on schools, abductions, and violence that they said have destabilised communities across multiple states.
In his opening remarks, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen laid bare the severity of the threat: coordinated attacks targeting civilians, students, worshippers, and security personnel in rapid succession, aimed at spreading fear and undermining public confidence.
Lawmakers called for sweeping reforms to Nigeria’s security architecture. Among demands were decentralizing policing, granting states or local governments greater authority in security decisions, criminalizing ransom payments, creating a national border-patrol force, and strengthening oversight of security operations.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu warned that existing laws are inadequate, arguing that merely granting security forces more resources is insufficient. He insisted a holistic, legal-reform approach is essential to dismantle the structural weaknesses that criminals exploit.
The presence of U.S. officials at the session including a delegation from the U.S. Embassy and foreign dignitaries signalled growing international concern over Nigeria’s insecurity. While Nigeria reaffirmed its sovereignty, lawmakers said constructive foreign engagement can support reforms and intelligence cooperation that transcend national boundaries.
As the debate continues, the House plans to table formal resolutions and legislative proposals aimed at security-sector overhaul, with hopes of delivering recommendations to the executive by Wednesday November 26th.
