By Boma West
The House of Representatives on Tuesday turned its attention to three issues of urgent public importance: the plight of abducted schoolchildren in Borno State, the link between youth unemployment and insecurity, and alleged job racketeering at a federal agency.
Rep. Midala Usman Balami (APC, Borno) reminded colleagues that the House had earlier called for action to free 44 schoolchildren abducted from Mussa on May 15, 2026, alongside 36 others seized along the Buratai-Maiduguri Road. Since then, 36 students and two teachers have also been abducted in Lassa Ward, Askira-Uba Local Government Area.
Lawmakers noted with grave concern that the Mussa pupils had spent more than 138 days in captivity, the Lassa victims over 70 days, and the Buratai-Maiduguri Road captives more than 160 days. The House warned that the ordeal threatens the victims’ lives, safety, education and fundamental rights. It also weighs heavily on their families and leaves the affected communities exposed to fresh attacks.
The House urged security agencies to intensify and sustain search-and-rescue operations for the safe release of the 80 schoolchildren and all other captives. It called for better intelligence gathering and inter-agency coordination, and for more patrols and checkpoints in Mussa, Lassa and other vulnerable communities.
NEMA and the North East Development Commission were asked to provide relief materials, medical care and psychosocial support to affected families. The motion was referred to the relevant committees.
Turning to the economy, Rep. Billy Famous Osawaru (APC, Edo) argued that banditry, killings, kidnapping, cultism and youth restiveness have worsened amid mass unemployment. He cited SBM Intelligence figures of over 10,000 deaths and 7,500 kidnappings in more than 1,700 incidents as of 2024, and 2,683 deaths and 1,107 kidnappings in the first quarter of 2025. Jobless youths and out-of-school children, the House observed, are easy targets for recruitment by criminal groups.
The House urged the Federal Government to declare a National Youth Jobs Emergency and prioritise the revival of textile industries. It also asked for a low-interest Manufacturing Revival Fund, to be set up with the Bank of Industry and the Central Bank of Nigeria and tied to local sourcing and youth employment targets. The Ministry of Agriculture was asked to fund modern storage facilities and agro-processing clusters across the six geopolitical zones within 12 to 24 months. The goal is to cut post-harvest losses by over 30 percent and create about one million direct jobs. The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development was asked to review the Mining Act, formalise artisanal mining and establish six Mineral Processing Zones. The motion went to the Committees on Labour, Employment and Productivity, and Commerce.
On recruitment, Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Ali (APC, Kogi) drew the House’s attention to the ongoing exercise at the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service. Allegations say the process is shrouded in secrecy, with job slots going to the highest bidders. Lawmakers said such practices undermine the principle of Federal Character and could deny qualified Nigerians fair opportunities.
The House resolved to investigate and recommend sanctions where wrongdoing is established. The agency’s management has been directed to appear before the Committee on Federal Character for a review of its staff disposition list.
