Garba Maidoki, senator representing Kebbi south, says authorities know the identities, locations, and motives of the criminal groups behind recent mass abductions in the northern region.
Maidoki spoke on Wednesday during the plenary while contributing to a motion on escalating insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger states.
The senator expressed mixed feelings over the recent release of 24 schoolgirls abducted in his senatorial district.
“I am very happy and sad at the same time,” he said.
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“Happy in the sense that the 24 girls from Maga, in my own constituency, that were abducted have been released, and they are all safe and healthy. They have not been molested.”
The lawmaker questioned why attacks persist despite what he described as clear intelligence on those responsible.
“We know who these bandits are,” Maidoki said.
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“We know where they are. We know what they want. What is left for us to conclude? If we are going to do negotiation, do it and finish it. If we are going to fight, we’ll fight it to the finish.”
Maidoki demanded accountability over claims that security personnel were withdrawn from the affected school shortly before the attack.
“The issue that must take precedence is who withdrew the soldiers from Maga Primary School and on whose instruction,” he told his colleagues.
“The world wants to know. Nigerians want to know. We that are particularly affected want to know, because if we don’t get to the bottom of this, this incident will be repeating itself.”
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Meanwhile, the senate has commenced efforts to classify kidnapping as a terrorism offence, proposing that perpetrators be executed without the option of a fine.
Lawmakers said the measure would be reflected in the Terrorism (Prevention) Act due to the rising insecurity across the country.
