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Security Requires Action, Not Just Alarm, Reps Tell Minority Caucus
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By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has responded to recent concerns raised by its Minority Caucus over the country’s security situation, stressing that addressing Nigeria’s security challenges requires collective action, institutional commitment and practical legislative engagement rather than public commentary alone.
In a statement signed by the House Spokesman, Rep. Akintunde Rotimi on Friday, the House acknowledged growing public concern over insecurity in parts of the country, describing security as an issue of urgent national importance that demands sustained cooperation across all arms of government.
The House noted that the concerns expressed by the Minority Caucus reflect the anxieties of many Nigerians and reinforce the need for vigilance, coordinated action and continued collaboration among relevant stakeholders.
According to the statement, the National Assembly has continued to work with the Executive and security agencies to strengthen the country’s security architecture through legislation, budgetary support and oversight functions aimed at improving intelligence gathering, operational effectiveness, troop welfare and overall national preparedness.
The lawmakers also pointed to ongoing security operations across various parts of the country, noting that security agencies have recorded successes in dismantling criminal networks, rescuing kidnapped victims and restoring stability in affected communities.
While acknowledging that significant challenges remain, the House maintained that progress has been made and should be consolidated through continued support and institutional reforms.
The statement further cautioned against evaluating the country’s security situation without considering broader historical and operational realities.
“Public discourse on security must remain anchored on a balanced appreciation of context, trends, and historical developments. Nigeria has experienced both severe security setbacks and periods of improvement, and a fair assessment must recognise both realities while focusing on strengthening what works and addressing gaps”, the statement read.
Addressing the concerns raised by the Minority Caucus directly, the House emphasised that lawmakers possess constitutional tools that go beyond public criticism and should actively deploy them in tackling national challenges.
“Members of Parliament, irrespective of party affiliation, are not limited to public commentary. We are equipped with constitutionally recognised instruments: Bills, Motions, Committee Oversight, Appropriation Powers, and constituency engagement mechanisms which enable direct participation in shaping national responses and reforms”, it added.
The House also reminded members of the Minority Caucus that they remain part of the legislative arm of government and therefore share responsibility for advancing solutions to national problems.
The statement underscored the distinction between legislators and civil society groups, noting that lawmakers operate within formal decision-making structures and are therefore positioned to influence policy directly.
“In this regard, the House respectfully reminds the Minority Caucus that it remains an integral part of government within the legislative arm of the state. Parliament collectively bears responsibility for lawmaking, oversight, and appropriation, and is therefore jointly accountable for strengthening national security outcomes. The obligation to offer solutions, strengthen institutions, and support effective policy implementation is a shared one, not one divided along caucus lines.
“Unlike civil society actors whose primary tools are advocacy and public accountability, legislators operate within the formal decision-making architecture of government”, it added.
The House encouraged all members, regardless of political affiliation, to continue sponsoring bills, raising motions of urgent public importance and participating actively in committee engagements focused on security and governance reforms.
It also stressed that parliamentary interventions are most effective when concerns are accompanied by practical proposals capable of legislative consideration and implementation.
Speaking on the issue, House Leader, Rt. Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, said national security should remain above partisan politics.
He added that despite political differences, lawmakers remain united by their constitutional responsibility to Nigerians.
“Security remains a shared national responsibility that transcends political affiliation. Our duty as Parliament is not only to express concern but to ensure such concerns are translated into effective legislative and oversight actions that strengthen national security.
“The strength of the House lies in its unity of purpose, even amid differing perspectives. Majority or Minority, we are bound by the same constitutional responsibility to the Nigerian people”, Rotimi said.
The House acknowledged the continuing impact of insecurity on communities across the country, including threats to livelihoods, rural populations and other vulnerable groups, while reiterating its commitment to working with the Executive, security agencies, state governments and other stakeholders to improve security outcomes nationwide.
It maintained that overcoming the country’s security challenges would require more than rhetoric, insisting that sustainable progress depends on investment, institutional discipline, stronger inter-agency collaboration and a shared national resolve.
The Emir of Gumel in Jigawa State, Alhaji Dr. Ahmed Muhammad Sani II, has died.
The monarch passed away on Thursday in Egypt.
His death has thrown the people of the Gumel Emirate and residents of Jigawa State into mourning, with tributes expected to continue to pour in from across the state and beyond.
The death of the respected traditional ruler is a significant loss to his family, associates and the entire Gumel community. Prayers have been offered for Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest in Aljannatul Firdaus.
Prayers were also offered for Allah to grant his family, loved ones and the people of Gumel the strength and patience to bear the loss.
The death of the Emir represents a major loss to the Gumel Emirate, given the important role traditional institutions play in promoting peace, unity, cultural values and community development.
The Gumel Emirate is one of the historic traditional institutions in northern Nigeria, with a rich heritage and longstanding influence in the social and cultural affairs of its people.
As Emir, the late Alhaji Dr. Ahmed Muhammad Sani II, CON, served as custodian of the traditional institution and provided leadership to the people of the emirate.
His passing is expected to be deeply felt by members of the royal family, traditional title holders, community leaders and residents across the emirate.
United States federal agents have nabbed a podcaster, Azariah Southworth, in Los Angeles over allegations that he threatened to kill US President Donald Trump.
According to New York Post on Thursday, Southworth was taken into federal custody in Los Angeles following an investigation into the alleged threats against Trump.
Southworth is known for hosting the Yass, Jesus podcast and previously hosted the Christian television programme, The Remix. His arrest has brought federal authorities’ attention to statements allegedly made by him concerning the president.
The allegations against Southworth have not been established in court, and details of any criminal charges filed against him were not immediately available in the report. Federal authorities typically investigate threats against the president as potential federal offences.
US law prohibits knowingly and willfully threatening to kill, kidnap or inflict bodily harm on the president. Such cases can result in federal prosecution if investigators determine that a statement meets the legal threshold for a criminal threat.
Federal authorities have pursued similar cases involving alleged threats against Trump in recent years.
The US Department of Justice has previously announced charges and convictions involving people accused of making threats against the president online and through other forms of communication.
Authorities have also stressed in previous cases that an arrest or criminal charge does not establish guilt. Prosecutors are required to prove the allegations in court, while defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted.
Southworth’s arrest comes amid continued security concerns surrounding threats against Trump and other US public officials. Further details about the allegations, possible charges and Southworth’s next court appearance are expected to emerge as the federal case proceeds.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced a city-wide desilting of drainage channels following heavy torrential rainfalls that triggered flash floods across parts of the nation’s capital.
Inspecting the ongoing clearance operations along the Airport Expressway on Thursday, Mr Richard Dauda, acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), said the exercise was directed by the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.
The directive followed a flash flood that flooded the Airport Expressway on Tuesday.
According to Dauda, the effort is to mitigate flood risks during the peak of the rainy season.
Dauda noted that while recent downpours align with earlier meteorological warnings and climate change trends, the Abuja Master Plan inherently recognises certain areas, including the Airport Expressway axis as flood plains.
He assured residents that while resilient infrastructure was originally built to handle high water volumes, human activities have severely compromised its efficiency.
“Some of these drainage facilities over time have been silted. Part of the cause is residents dumping refuse into drainage channels.
“When rain falls, it washes down polythene bags, waste, and even large objects that block the outlets,” he said.
Dauda highlighted two major human factors aggravating the flash floods: illegal development and widespread infrastructure vandalism.
Exposing a major choke point along the expressway, Dauda pointed to a triple-cell box culvert meant to discharge a powerful stream flowing from the Galadima Roundabout.
He explained that a private developer had illegally constricted the waterway further downstream by constructing retaining walls to expand a personal plot.
“What that causes is that the volume of water that ought to pass no longer passes, causing detention, backflow, and eventual flooding.
“To restore adequate discharge capacity, we must remove the structures built by this developer,” he said.
Dauda also decried the theft of metal gully inlet covers by vandals, which allows large debris to flow directly into underground drains instead of being sieved at the surface.
“When vandals steal these covers, it’s like stealing from yourself as a taxpayer,” he remarked.
To permanently curb the theft, he revealed that the FCDA is exploring replacement materials made from non-recyclable compounds rather than steel or cast iron.
The FCDA boss confirmed that workers were already desilting trapezoidal drains, U-channels, and culvert outlets along the Airport Expressway, with plans to reconstruct damaged points where necessary.
Dauda urged Abuja residents to stop dumping refuse into waterways, warning that government infrastructure can only protect the city if public cooperation is guaranteed.
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