According to a report by The Cable News, on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, Senator Garba Maidoki, who represents Kebbi South, made an urgent plea for the federal government to bolster military personnel and financial resources to address Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
Speaking during a plenary session under a personal explanation, the lawmaker argued that the safety of citizens must be prioritised over physical infrastructure, noting that schools and roads are worthless if people are too terrified to use them or are forced to abandon their homes.
While acknowledging the dedication of the armed forces, Senator Maidoki emphasised that the military is currently overstretched and understaffed. He shared a deeply personal tragedy to highlight the gravity of the situation.
He said, “Three days ago, I lost my own brother, who is a warrant officer in this insurgency; he died fighting this banditry.” And I’m proud of him.”
The senator contended that the current military strength, which stood at approximately 230,000 personnel as of 2025, is insufficient to effectively combat banditry across such a vast nation.
He questioned why the country has been embroiled in this conflict for two decades and urged his colleagues to utilise the upcoming budget to channel significant funding toward the military. His goal is to ensure the security forces have the necessary tools to end the crisis within the current year.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio voiced his support for Maidoki’s stance, affirming that the Senate shares the desire to see an end to insurgency in 2026. Akpabio acknowledged the public’s growing frustration but pointed out the logistical hurdles, explaining that the military cannot maintain a presence in every village.
He noted that bandits often strike soft targets in remote areas, which frequently forces the security forces into a reactionary posture. Despite these challenges, the Senate leadership expressed a commitment to seeking a definitive resolution to the violence. See_More…