The House of Representatives issued a grave warning to the Federal Government, cautioning that persistent failure to curb the escalating insecurity plaguing the nation could precipitate a citizens’ uprising. This alarm follows a recent surge in violent incidents that have gripped the country, intensifying public unease.

The caution coincided with remarks from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who addressed his colleagues during a plenary session, underscoring the dire implications of the nation’s deteriorating security and economic conditions. Akpabio emphasized that the mounting crises are testing the endurance of Nigerians to a breaking point, urging lawmakers to enact robust legislative measures to address these pressing challenges.

Legislators representing regions devastated by insurgent attacks and violence perpetrated by armed herdsmen spearheaded the discussion, leveling pointed criticism at the Presidency. They contended that, despite an expenditure exceeding N19.7 trillion on security initiatives, the government has failed to demonstrate sufficient resolve or efficacy in tackling the pervasive insecurity.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Presidency were unsuccessful. Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, redirected inquiries to the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, leaving the administration’s stance on the lawmakers’ accusations unaddressed for the time being.

The NSA could not also be reached at press time last night, as both calls and text messages sent to him were not replied.

But the debate in the House was sparked by a motion of urgent public importance moved by Ahmed Satomi on the recent fire at the armoury at Giwa Barracks and the escalating attacks on military formations in Borno and Yobe states respectively.

The motion soon snowballed into emotional testimonies and dire warnings, with some lawmakers declaring that if urgent steps are not taken by government to solve the problem, Nigerians might turn on their elected representatives.

In his contribution, Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau) rebuked those downplaying the severity of the crisis, saying “when the governor is crying and someone within the comfort of his zone says the governor is raising an unnecessary alarm, we are rascals. Nigerians are being killed. This is unacceptable.

“Until the right thing is done by us here, until government responds with action, not just media statements, don’t bet that any member of the National Assembly is safe. We may be attacked not by Boko Haram, but by the people that elected you and I.