Niger Assembly threatens to halt sessions over worsening insecurity

The Niger State House of Assembly has warned that it may suspend legislative activities if the growing insecurity across the state is not urgently addressed. Lawmakers said the state is “under siege” by bandits and terrorists, and called for immediate rescue of students abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Missionary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Council.

The decision followed a motion raised by Hon. Mohammed Nura Agwara, who described the kidnapping, which occurred on Friday, November 21, 2025, as disturbing and unacceptable. Members unanimously condemned the attack, noting that the situation is spiralling beyond control.

Speaker Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkindaji said the House would not hesitate to shut down its activities until significant action is taken. He warned that insecurity is scaring off investors, disrupting projects and displacing communities, including his own constituency in Mariga, where over 50 communities have fled their homes.

Sarkindaji added that farmers who once produced large grain harvests are now struggling to survive, stressing that the legislature cannot remain silent. He argued that if schools and markets can close due to insecurity, the Assembly can also shut down until progress is made.

He criticised inadequate security response despite repeated calls by Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago and urged urgent troop deployment to major bandit routes. The Speaker expressed concern that the abducted students may be moved through known routes into neighbouring Zamfara, saying authorities have failed to act on critical intelligence.

The House adopted a four-point resolution, calling on the Federal Government to:

1. Mobilise resources for the immediate rescue of the students


2. Deploy troops to strategic and vulnerable areas


3. Secure key bandit movement routes


4. Collaborate with National Assembly members to push the resolutions further