Send soldiers to Borno, Kaduna communities, Reps tell FG

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to urgently deploy additional troops to Askira-Uba and Kachia communities in Borno and Kaduna States, respectively, following the recent violent invasion by bandits.

The resolution of the House followed the adoption of two motions of urgent public importance raised on the floor of the House during Thursday’s plenary by Midala Balami (Borno) and Gabriel Zock (Kaduna).

Addressing his colleagues, Balami, who represents Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency, lamented what he called the persistent and escalating attacks on communities within the constituency, particularly in Mussa Ward, Leho, Pubagu, Kwajaffa, Harang Villages, and several others.

“The House notes with deep concern the recent abduction of about 20 persons along the Biu-Buratai- Damaturu road last week, including women and children, leaving families and loved ones in distress and uncertainty. These attacks have resulted in the tragic loss of lives, displacement of families, and destruction of homes, farmlands, and livelihoods.

“We are worried that the continuous violence has created fear, disrupted socio-economic activities, and undermined peace and stability in the constituency. The House is further worried that, despite efforts, responses from relevant security agencies have not been sufficient to prevent recurrence,” he said.

He commended the Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, for strengthening local vigilantes and supporting security operations, noting that this has helped the military in prosecuting the war against terrorism.

The motion was supported by the majority of the lawmakers who attended the plenary.

Subsequently, the House urged the Federal Government to urgently “deploy adequate military and paramilitary personnel to Mussa Ward, Leho, Pubagu, Kwajaffa, Harang Villages, and other affected communities across Borno State and to ensure safe rescue of the abducted persons and reunite them with their families.”

It also called on the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede and other security chiefs to intensify surveillance and establish permanent security outposts in the affected areas.

The House further called on the National Emergency Management Agency and other relevant bodies to provide immediate relief and humanitarian assistance to the victims.

In a related development, the lawmaker for Kachia/Kagoro Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, Gabriel Zock, also informed his colleagues of the security challenges in his constituency.

According to him, the federal constituency has witnessed the killing of over 20-30 persons in coordinated attacks across affected communities, witness the mass abduction of over 260-350 persons between October 2025 and April 2026 alone, “the kidnapping of over 180 residents in January 2026, including mass abduction of worshippers in nearby communities, the abduction of 32 persons in Kagarko in a single night raid in February 2026, repeated attacks in Kwaturu Ward, Kachia, including the killing of four members of a family in a single incident and several mass abductions.

“The House notes with deep sorrow the most recent attack on Kahir Community in Kagarko Local Government Area, which occurred on March 29, 2026, resulting in the killing of 13 persons, the abduction of about 30 residents, and leaving no fewer than 10 others severely wounded.

“Several villages in Kachia and Kagarko, including Kachia town, Kwaturu Ward, Aribi Ward, Katari axis, Kurmin Kare, Idah, Jere, Ruzai, Doka, Bishini, Ankwa, Awon, Kutaho, and Kahir have remained under constant threat of banditry and terror attacks and in many cases, bandits operated for hours without immediate security response, leading to high casualty figures and successful mass abductions with ransom demands placed on victims’ families and communities, which mostly remained unpaid to date,” he said.

He expressed worry that entire communities are being displaced, with some villages nearly deserted due to fear of repeated attacks, adding that economic activities have been severely disrupted, worsening food insecurity and poverty in the constituency.

The lawmaker further noted that despite efforts by security agencies, including rescue operations and arrests, “the frequency, scale and coordination of these attacks indicate that current measures remain insufficient to address the crisis.”

Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Federal Government to immediately deploy additional security personnel and resources to the affected areas to address the security concerns in Kachia/Kagarko federal constituency.

It also mandated the Committees on National Security and Intelligence, Defence, Police Affairs, and Army to conduct an assessment of the security situation in the constituency and report back within two weeks.

Furthermore, the House called for the establishment of additional Forward Operating Bases and rapid response units in strategic locations within the constituency to deter and respond swiftly to security threats.