Senate Pledges to Crush Banditry, Calls for Urgent Military Funding in 2026

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday pledged to end armed banditry, insurgency, and kidnappings this year, urging an urgent review of the 2026 budget to strengthen military funding and bolster security across the nation.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, speaking in response to a point of order raised by Senator Garba Maidoki (APC, Kebbi South), expressed confidence that 2026 would mark a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.

“On January 1, my prayer to God, which I shared with the nation, was that banditry and insurgency should end this year. By the grace of God, 2026 will witness their end,” Akpabio said, acknowledging the difficulties posed by Nigeria’s vast terrain and the tendency of criminal gangs to target “soft spots.”

Senator Maidoki, under Order 42, highlighted the urgent need for increased funding for the military to enable decisive action against bandits in his constituency.

“Let us allocate sufficient resources. The budget is before us; we must fund the military adequately to end this menace in 2026. Communities cannot continue to suffer,” Maidoki said.

The Senate also called on President Bola Tinubu to fast-track the establishment of a new military barracks in the affected zone and directed the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to equip any new squadron with at least three armoured personnel carriers. The aim, according to lawmakers, is to intensify intelligence-led operations, including forest combing, cross-state collaboration, and community-based intelligence networks, particularly in Katsina and other high-risk areas.

Senator Dandutse reported that in less than two weeks, attacks across Funtua Zone in Katsina State had killed 35 people, destroyed more than 50,000 farmlands, and threatened food security. Areas affected include Faskari Local Government, Mahuta Ward of Dandume, Maska Ward of Funtua, and Kankara.

The Senate assured Nigerians of continued collaboration with security agencies to protect communities and restore public confidence in the nation’s security architecture.