The Nigerian Senate has pledged that the ongoing wave of banditry, insurgency, kidnapping and destruction of property across the country will come to an end this year, 2026.
The assurance was given by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary, following a point of order raised by Senator Garba Maidoki (APC, Kebbi South) over the worsening security situation in parts of the country.
Akpabio said the Senate was committed to revisiting the 2026 budget with the aim of increasing funding for the military, while also urging President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to sustain coordinated operations against criminal groups until they are completely eliminated.
“I want to thank Senator Maidoki for his very strong position. We in the Senate share the same concern and the same resolve,” Akpabio said. “On January 1 this year, my prayer to God was that banditry and insurgency should end in 2026. By the grace of God, we shall see the end of this year and the end of banditry.”
The Senate President acknowledged the frustration and anger of affected communities but noted that security challenges are complex, especially given Nigeria’s vast size.
“These criminals target soft locations. We cannot have military barracks in every village. By the time attacks happen, security responses are often reactionary,” he explained.
Earlier, Senator Maidoki lamented that banditry had continued unchecked in his constituency despite repeated appeals. Speaking under Order 42, he called on the Senate to prioritise security funding in the 2026 budget.
“This is budget season,” Maidoki said. “If you give me a school today and insecurity drives me away from that school, it becomes useless. Let us put enough resources into the military. Let us take money from wherever possible and fund the armed forces properly so this problem can end this year. We don’t want to carry banditry into 2027.”
He recalled that a committee of military chiefs had earlier been set up to examine security challenges holistically, stressing that the Senate must now back its resolutions with adequate funding.
The Senate also urged President Tinubu to fulfil his pledge to establish a new military barracks in the affected zone. In addition, lawmakers directed the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure that any newly created police squadron is equipped with at least three Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to strengthen intelligence-led operations.
The Senate further called for intensified forest combing, cross-state security collaboration and improved community-based intelligence gathering in Katsina State and other flashpoints.
Presenting details of recent attacks, Senator Dandutse revealed that as of Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at least 35 people had been killed in bandit attacks across the Funtua zone of Katsina State within two weeks.
According to him, 24 people were killed in Faskari Local Government Area, eight in Mahuta Ward of Dandume Local Government Area, two in Maska Ward of Funtua Local Government Area, and one in Kankara Local Government Area.
He warned that the persistent attacks were already taking a toll on food production, noting that more than 50,000 farmlands are currently inaccessible due to insecurity.
“This situation threatens food security and the livelihoods of our people,” Dandutse said.
The Senate maintained that decisive action, increased funding and sustained political will are critical to ending banditry and restoring peace across the country in 2026.