Senate Orders Investigation into Safe School Fund After Abduction of Kebbi Schoolgirls

The Senate has directed a comprehensive probe into the Safe School Fund following the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State, intensifying concerns over why billions allocated to secure schools have not stopped recurring attacks.

During Tuesday’s plenary, lawmakers also called on President Bola Tinubu to approve the recruitment of at least 100,000 additional military personnel to bolster national security and curb insurgency, banditry, and violent attacks on schools.

The Senate resolved to set up an ad hoc committee—drawing members from its Committees on Finance, Education, Defence, Army, and Navy—to investigate the Safe School Programme, including its funding, implementation, spending patterns, and the systemic failures that left schools vulnerable.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North), who led the call for expanded military recruitment and a full security audit, said Nigeria’s worsening insecurity requires urgent action.

“I urged the President and the armed forces to recruit an additional 100,000 military personnel… It is also another way to create employment for our youthful population.
People have turned our security to business. We should not monetise the death of our people by those living. What happened to the money earmarked for the Safe School programme?”

He also pressed for “the use of technology and tracking devices to track these criminals.”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, said no nation is free of crime, “not even the United States,” but stressed the need for collaboration, regardless of religion or region.

“Our security agencies are overstretched… Terrorists often strike in locations that are difficult to predict.
We sympathise with the families of the victims, the vice-principal who was killed and the schoolchildren now in captivity.”

Earlier, Senator Abdullahi detailed the attack:

“The terrorists invaded the school, abducting 25 young girls, killing the vice-principal, and wounding the principal… This recurring menace must stop immediately.”

He warned that previous security measures—including temporary closures—failed to prevent the latest assault and urged the federal government to act swiftly to rescue the abducted girls.

Senator Sani Musa (Niger East) noted that Nigeria’s security architecture is overstretched:

“With over 230 million people and only 177,000 personnel, it is impossible to cover every area… Traditional rulers, communities and individuals must play a proactive role.”

Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (Borno North) described the abduction as “reprehensible,” calling on the Senate to speak with one voice, while Senator Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East) warned that kidnappings were becoming “normalised.”

He added:

“Security forces appear to operate in silos… Clear targets and timelines must be set to eradicate these criminal networks.”

Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong (Cross River South) called it a “heartbreaking tragedy,” insisting the Senate must demand decisive action and enforce consequences for security failures.

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