Reps Erupt: FG Accused Of Empowering Bandits After Kebbi School Abductions

Some members of the House of Representatives have slammed the Federal Government for engaging in negotiations with bandits after the kidnapping of 24 students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The criticism came from a cross-party coalition, House to the Rescue, which accused the government of betraying public trust after presidential aide Bayo Onanuga confirmed that discussions were held with the kidnappers.

The statement was jointly signed by Muhammed Soba (North West), Zakari Mohammed (North Central), Olasupo Abiodun (South West), Sadiq Ibrahim (North East), Uko Nkole (South East), and Bassey Ewa (South South).

Their position followed a tense special plenary session on Tuesday, where lawmakers expressed deep frustration over the escalating wave of abductions and the fear gripping communities as kidnappers continue to operate freely.

In their joint statement, the coalition declared:
“House to the Rescue unequivocally condemns the Federal Government’s ongoing negotiations with bandits and criminal networks responsible for the kidnappings ravaging Nigeria. At a time when citizens are desperate for protection, the government has chosen to sit with those who abduct children, terrorise communities, and challenge the authority of the Nigerian state.”

The lawmakers criticised President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the worsening insecurity, calling it “an abdication of responsibility.”

They highlighted the recent abductions in Kano, Kwara, Kebbi and other states, warning that Nigerians were being left vulnerable while the government responded with “silence, excuses, and back-door concessions to violent groups.”

The coalition insisted that no responsible nation rewards criminality with dialogue, stating, “Negotiating with bandits has never succeeded anywhere.”

To support their argument, they cited international examples where talks with violent groups backfired:

• Colombia: Dialogue with FARC emboldened kidnappers and strengthened the rebels.

• Mexico: Secret contacts with cartels worsened kidnapping rates and empowered criminal gangs.

• Afghanistan: Concessions and prisoner swaps enabled the Taliban to regroup and eventually topple the government.

• Somalia: Deals with warlords escalated conflict and expanded militia influence.

• Mali: Agreements with jihadist groups allowed violence to spread into neighbouring countries.

They warned that Nigeria was headed in the same direction if it continued treating armed groups as negotiating partners, arguing that such talks legitimise criminality and encourage more kidnappings.

According to them, this approach has created “a dangerous business model where abductors seize citizens and wait for government negotiators instead of facing force.”

The lawmakers urged the Federal Government to immediately halt all negotiations with bandits and instead deploy intelligence-driven rescue operations. They also called for a clear national security strategy and full National Assembly oversight of any official involved in unauthorised talks with criminal groups.