Terrorism: Reps Tasks Tinubu to Initiate Coordinated Joint Security Operation, Provides Aerial Surveillance To flush out terrorists
The House of Representatives on Thursday tasked President Bola Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, direct the Chief of Defence Staff, the Director General of the Department of State Service and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to initiate a coordinated joint security operation and provide aerial surveillance to flush out the terrorists involved in the barbaric killing of Nigerians in Adamawa State.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Chairman, House Committee on Political Parties, Hon. Zakaria Nyampa, who solicited the House intervention.
While expressing displeasure over the barbaric killing of the 27 inhabitants of 27 inhabitants of Shewari Community, Krinchinga, Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State by attackers suspected to be a joint force of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorist groups, Hon. Nyampa underscored the need for the present administration to take decisive steps with a view to avoiding recurrence.
“The House notes with grave concern the barbaric killing of 27 innocent citizens, inflicting injuries and destruction of Properties of inhabitants of the Shewari community, Krinchinga, in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, by attackers believed to be a joint force of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists on 23 February 2026.
“The House is worried that the continuous attacks by terrorists need to be addressed immediately in compliance with Chapter 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), particularly Section 14 (2) (b) which clearly states thus: that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”
While condemning the attack by Boko Haram and ISWAP, the lawmakers observed a minute silence in honour of the 27 deceased persons.
In the bid to cushion the effects of the attack on the affected Citizens, the lawmakers urged Federal Government to direct the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Poverty Reduction, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons Commission to as a matter of urgency, provide relief materials to the victims of the attacked in Snewari/Krinchiga communities in Madagali Local Government Area.
Also at plenary, the House expressed grave concern over the escalating wave of killings in communities within the Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency of Benue State, calling on Federal Government and security agencies to urgently strengthen military operations to halt the attacks.
The resolution followed the adoption of a Motion of Urgent Public Importance sponsored by member representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, Hon. Terseer Ugbor.
In his lead debate, Hon. Ugbor decried what he described as coordinated attacks by armed mercenaries and bandits on several communities in Kwande Local Government Area in recent weeks, resulting in deaths, injuries, destruction of property and mass displacement of residents.
He recalled that on February 3, 2026, attackers invaded Abande and Anwase communities in the Turan district, killing at least 17 people, including a Mobile Police officer, while several others sustained injuries and homes, farmlands and livelihoods were destroyed.
He noted similar attacks were also recorded in Anem and Tomataan communities in Ikyurav-Ya, as well as parts of Ikyov in Ushongo Local Government Area.
According to the Hon. Ugbor, another deadly assault occurred on March 5, 2026, when armed assailants killed 16 people in Mbaav community in Mbadura Council Ward and Mbachoon community, including surrounding areas in Yaav Council Ward, leaving several others injured.
“As we speak here today Mr. Speaker, a mass burial is currently planned to bury some of the people who recently lost their lives to these attacks,” he noted.
The lawmaker who embarked on an on-the-spot assessment of the affected areas on March 8, 2026, observed that although a full battalion of the Nigerian Army had been deployed to the area, the troops were facing operational constraints that hinder effective response.
He also noted that the operational mandate of the deployed forces appeared unclear, raising questions about whether the mission was intended as a peacekeeping effort or a full combat operation aimed at flushing out armed groups and bandits operating in the area.
Hon. Ugbor further warned that the porous Nigeria–Cameroon border corridor in Benue State has created easy entry and exit routes for armed groups, providing safe havens in ungoverned spaces.
He added that illegal mining activities in the mineral-rich border region were also attracting criminal networks and fuelling illicit activities that worsen insecurity.
The lawmaker also expressed concern that the Kashimbila area in neighbouring Taraba State had become a staging ground for attackers, warning that without urgent intervention the violence could escalate and deepen the humanitarian crisis.
To this end, the House urged Federal Government and security agencies to immediately deploy additional technological support like drones, logistical support, surveillance assets, and modern combat equipment to forces In Kwande LGA to contain and neutralise the bandits.
In the same vein, the lawmakers called on the present administration to transform the Benue-Nigeria-Cameroon border area into an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) with strong security and economic infrastructure to promote legitimate activities and deny safe havens to criminals
In the bid to ensure compliance, the House mandated the joint Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence to liaise with relevant agencies for prompt implementation and report back to the House for further legislative action.