Tension In Abuja! Reps Convene Urgent Plenary, Issue Stern Warning: ‘Our Sovereignty Is Sacred

A delegation from St. Kitts and Nevis, led by the Speaker of Parliament, Lanein Blanchette, alongside officials from the United States Embassy, was formally received in the chamber on Tuesday during plenary as the House of Representatives convened to deliberate on Nigeria’s escalating security challenges.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

During the session, the House is expected to review a consolidated Internal Security Assessment detailing major incidents across the country, emerging trends, oversight observations, and the progress made on previous parliamentary resolutions.

The comprehensive report also features evidence-based submissions from committees overseeing defence, national security and intelligence, police affairs, human rights, interior, foreign affairs, women’s affairs, youth development, and emergency and disaster preparedness.

Lawmakers are anticipated to conclude the sitting by adopting a formal resolution outlining agreed interventions, implementation timelines, and monitoring frameworks.

‘Nigeria’s Sovereignty Is Not Negotiable’ – Abbas

In his opening address, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas reaffirmed that Nigeria’s sovereignty remains non-negotiable, while also noting the nation’s long-standing diplomatic ties with the United States.

Abbas welcomed increased US cooperation on security issues and confirmed that the House is carefully reviewing the Religious Freedom Accountability Bill, stressing that both Christian and Muslim communities have endured brutal attacks by terrorist groups.

He also raised concerns over the resurgence of military coups in West Africa, warning that instability in neighbouring countries poses serious threats to Nigeria’s security.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu announced that, within the next six months, the House plans to pass a bill banning ransom negotiations and prescribing penalties for public officials who engage in ransom talks or endorse unstructured amnesty arrangements with armed groups.

Kalu also demanded an immediate investigation into allegations that some government officials have secretly negotiated with bandits and approved ransom payments.

Tuesday’s plenary followed a wave of mass abductions that has triggered nationwide outrage. In recent weeks, armed groups kidnapped students and worshippers in Kebbi and Niger states, forcing the closure of several schools in northern Nigeria.

Opposition parties and civil society organisations have condemned the Tinubu administration for failing to stem the rising insecurity, insisting that the safety of citizens must be treated as a national priority.

International attention intensified last week when the US Congress held a public hearing on former President Donald Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).

Victims, lawmakers, and other witnesses testified about widespread violence—including mass kidnappings, razed communities, and hundreds of deaths recorded in recent years.