The renewed urgency shown by the leadership of both chambers of the National Assembly on Nigeria?s worsening insecurity and deteriorating living conditions is a welcome development?albeit long overdue.

Upon resuming from their Sallah and Easter breaks, federal lawmakers appeared to have been jolted into action, perhaps after spending time in their constituencies and confronting the harsh realities faced by everyday Nigerians. The spate of killings and the near-collapse of public safety, particularly in the northern region, seem to have become too glaring to ignore. The result was a flurry of motions and impassioned debates in both the Senate and House of Representatives, with each chamber appearing to compete in condemning the government?s failure to protect citizens.

In the Senate, lawmakers adopted a motion moved by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South), co-sponsored by Senators Titus Zam (APC, Benue North West), Nwebonyi Onyeka Peter (APC, Ebonyi North), and Osita Ngwu (PDP, Enugu West), calling for a two-day national security summit. The Senate noted that no geopolitical zone in the country could be described as safe. It proposed that the summit include heads of security agencies, state governors and other relevant stakeholders.

Although some senators expressed skepticism over organising another summit?citing the ineffectiveness of the one held by the 8th Senate?the motion was passed through a voice vote. Daily Trust reports that despite numerous government efforts, insecurity has continued to fester. Boko Haram attacks have resurged in the North East, while bandits in the North West continue to kill, abduct and displace residents. New armed groups, such as the Lakurawa and Mahmuda, have emerged, unleashing violence across parts of Kebbi, Niger, and other states in the North Central region.

Senator Ibrahim, in his motion, stressed the need for the military to adopt alternative engagement strategies and receive enhanced funding to uphold professional standards.

More importantly, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, acknowledged that the situation had worsened while the National Assembly was on recess. He urged lawmakers to rise to the expectations of Nigerians, highlighting the rising cost of living, energy instability and unrelenting insecurity as urgent issues requiring legislative attention.

?We are under watch. The people are watching. The world is watching. Our constituents are watching. History, silent but unsleeping, is watching,? he added.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the House of Representatives was even more charged. A motion of urgent public importance by Rep Ahmed Satomi (APC, Borno) over a fire incident at the Giwa Barracks armoury, Maiduguri, and renewed attacks on military formations in Borno and Yobe, sparked emotional interventions from lawmakers. Some warned that if action was not taken quickly, citizens might begin to turn on their elected officials.

Following the heated debate, the House resolved to review security measures at military installations, strengthen operations in Borno and Yobe, and mandated its Committees on Army, Defence and National Security to investigate and report back within four weeks.

Although the Senate?s proposed summit initially met resistance from the federal government?with the Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, criticising the move?he later backtracked and expressed willingness to participate. That shift is encouraging and suggests a growing recognition, even within the executive, of the urgency of the security crisis.

We at Daily Trust believe these developments are steps in the right direction. The 10th National Assembly has so far been perceived as too compliant with the executive, lacking assertiveness on key national issues and often described as a rubber stamp. That perception must change. Nigerians want to see a legislature that holds the executive accountable and prioritises the welfare of citizens through impactful legislation.

For the proposed summit to be meaningful, it must take into account the varying dynamics of insecurity across the country. The root causes of violence in the South East and North Central, especially in Benue State, for instance, differ from the banditry in the North West and insurgency in the North East. A one-size-fits-all approach will not work. Lawmakers must insist on a regionally nuanced analysis and tailor recommendations accordingly.

Security personnel displaced bandits from some areas, only for them to regroup in neighbouring states. The National Assembly must now lead efforts to legislate and fund a well-coordinated forest ranger initiative to prevent further spread.

More broadly, Nigerians expect their representatives to rise above partisanship and confront the twin crises of insecurity and falling living standards with commitment and urgency. Now that lawmakers appear to have awoken to their responsibilities, they must remain awake. The mandate given to them by the people is not a ceremonial one?it is a solemn trust.

Finally, beyond the proposed summit, both chambers should consider constituting a joint committee to visit conflict zones, engage with affected communities, and develop comprehensive, long-term solutions. Dialogue is a start, but it must be followed by tangible, coordinated action. (Daily Trust Editorial)

Update news