House of Representatives summons NSA, defence and finance ministers over insecurity and defence spending
via Punch Nigeria4 min read
The House of Representatives has summoned National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Defence Gen Christopher Musa, and his finance counterpart Taiwo Oyedele for questioning regarding the increase in kidnappings across parts of Nigeria. The House is seeking details on funds released to the Ministry of Defence over the past six months and an explanation for the lack of corresponding improvements in nationwide security. This resolution followed a motion by Mr Sulaiman Gumi, representing Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, who highlighted severe insecurity in Zamfara and other North-West states. He cited incidents including the killing of 93 people and the abduction of students and lecturers in June 2026, as well as other attacks in Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, and Kano states. Lawmakers also proposed establishing state police, revisiting the cashless policy to hinder ransom payments, and strictly regulating Bureau De Change operators. The House urged the defence minister to deploy adequate security personnel and equipment to Zamfara and the North-West and called on other ministers to explore non-kinetic approaches to address security challenges. The Committee on Defence and other relevant committees are mandated to ensure compliance and report back within two weeks.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
BreakingPresident Bola Tinubu has approved an immediate release of N10bn in emergency intervention funding and established a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness. This action follows a rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, which has resulted in at least 349 deaths and been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organisation. The N10bn funding aims to bolster the operational readiness of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and support critical national public health emergency response activities. The task force, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, includes members from relevant ministries, departments, agencies, and state representatives. President Tinubu has directed intensified passenger screening at all international airports, including enhanced temperature checks and crowd-control protocols, and increased monitoring of passengers from high-risk airline routes such as Air Uganda, RwandAir, and Ethiopian Airlines. He also ordered the activation of referral and isolation centers at Lagos and Abuja international airports, with plans for other airports to follow, and the mandatory activation of QR code-based pre-arrival health declaration systems for passengers from or transiting through designated high-risk countries. Additionally, the President mandated the disinfection of airport facilities and directed the task force to designat
Must ReadThe first group of at least 270 Nigerians is scheduled to arrive in Lagos on Thursday morning, following recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the evacuees will depart Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport on Wednesday night aboard an Air Peace aircraft, landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, around 5 a.m. The Federal Government is funding the evacuation and reception of the returnees, who will undergo documentation and profiling before being reunited with their families. The repatriation was initially delayed due to logistical considerations, with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, explaining that more time was needed for documentation and screening in collaboration with South African authorities. Over 1,000 Nigerians have participated in the screening, and the number seeking repatriation is increasing. The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria also secured concessions for Nigerians with immigration-related issues, allowing them to depart through the repatriation program instead of facing detention. The National Emergency Management Agency and other government agencies are coordinating the operation, which aims to assist Nigerian citizens wishing to leave South Africa due to concerns over attacks on foreign nationals.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, inaugurated the main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway in the Federal Capital Territory, connecting Ring Road 1 Junction to Ring Road 2 Junction. He emphasized that the project is part of efforts to expand infrastructure and drive economic development, stating that his administration prioritizes hard work and tangible results. Tinubu highlighted the broader role of infrastructure in economic growth and job creation, noting that building roads unlocks a city's potential and makes life easier for various citizens. He recalled previous phases of the expressway project and reaffirmed his administration's commitment to completing ongoing projects across the country, stating that the era of abandoned projects in Nigeria is fading. The President commended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for his effective leadership in transforming Abuja's infrastructure and ensuring accountability in project execution. Tinubu explained that the new road would significantly reduce congestion, improve economic efficiency, and expand Abuja's economic footprint by linking the Apo District to Wasa. Minister Wike stated that the OSEX project was awarded to CGC between October and November of the previous year and was delivered within the administration's third-anniversary timeline. He also mentioned efforts to relocate traders from Apo Mechanic Village to a more structured site and emphasized the principle of continuity in gover