Reps summon NSA, ministers over spate of abductions

The House of Representatives has summoned the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa and his Finance counterpart, Taiwo Oyedele, for questioning over the spike in kidnappings in some parts of the country. Specifically, the House is desirous of knowing the financial releases to the Ministry of Defence in the past six months and why results have been below expectations across the country. The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance brought on the floor of the Green Chamber by the member representing Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, Mr Sulaiman Gumi, during plenary on Tuesday. Speaking on the substance of the motion, the lawmaker lamented the sorry state of security in Zamfara and other parts of the North-West zone, noting that as a result of the campaign of violence by insurgents, the entire region is now battling the scourge of humanitarian crises made worse by the harsh economic realities of the times. He said, “The House is aware that between June 1 and 6, 2026, rampaging bandits riding on about 250 motorcycles with three riders each invaded Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency, and some parts of Sokoto villages bordering Zamfara State, killing 93 people. “The House is also aware that on the night of June 2, 2026, into the early hours of June 3, 2026, seven students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, were abducted by bandits at their off-campus students’ hostel. Earlier, two senior lecturers of the same Polytechnic were kidnapped and held in captivity for more than two months, despite ransom payments for their release. “We are aware of the violent attack by bandits on Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where four people were killed and several travellers abducted. In Talata Marafa Local Government Area, a Councillor and a Director were abducted while travelling from Jangebe to the local government headquarters over Hajj activities for intending pilgrims from Jangebe. The bandits killed both of them after refusing to collect any ransom.” He also drew his colleagues’ attention to the escalation of bandit attacks in other North West States, including Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, and Jigawa. Gumi recalled that “On May 31, 2026, 17 villagers were killed when bandits in their hundreds and riding on motorcycles invaded Dangulbi community in Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State,” stressing that “more than 15 communities in Tureta and Sabon Birni Local Government Areas of Sokoto State have been deserted due to