Senate urges Tinubu to recruit 100,000 military personnel after Kebbi abduction

The Nigerian Senate has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order the immediate recruitment of at least 100,000 additional military personnel to reinforce the country’s security architecture amid escalating violence and kidnappings.

The resolution followed a motion on the recent mass abduction in Kebbi State, where gunmen reportedly attacked a community and abducted several residents. Lawmakers expressed concern that Nigeria’s security agencies remain overstretched despite persistent threats posed by bandits, insurgents, and other armed groups across multiple states.

During plenary, senators argued that the current manpower level of the Armed Forces is insufficient to effectively police the country’s vast territory, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas repeatedly targeted by criminals. They warned that unless urgent actions are taken, attacks like the one in Kebbi “will continue to expose the vulnerability of citizens and undermine national stability.”

The Senate therefore urged President Tinubu to authorize an accelerated recruitment process across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with the goal of significantly boosting operational capacity.

Lawmakers also proposed increased funding for modern equipment, improved intelligence gathering, and stronger collaboration between federal and state security outfits.

The Kebbi abduction adds to a string of violent incidents in recent weeks, further heightening public concern over the country’s security trajectory.