The Senate has recalled its members from the ongoing legislative recess for an emergency plenary session scheduled for June 23, as concerns mount over Nigeria’s worsening security situation.
In a notice issued by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, lawmakers were directed to reconvene at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja by 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, following a directive from Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
According to the notice dated June 15, the extraordinary sitting was convened to enable senators to deliberate on issues deemed critical to the nation, with national security topping the agenda.
“The purpose of this emergency sitting is to enable the Senate to consider matters of urgent national importance, particularly issues relating to national security and other critical concerns that require immediate legislative attention,” the notice stated.
The Senate also appealed to lawmakers to adjust their schedules and attend the session, expressing regret for any inconvenience caused by the sudden change in plans.
The decision represents a departure from the National Assembly’s earlier timetable.
Both chambers had recently adjourned plenary until July 7, 2026, to allow legislators to observe the Democracy Day holiday and carry out constituency engagements across the country.
The recall comes amid heightened concerns over persistent attacks by terrorists, bandits and kidnappers in several parts of Nigeria, prompting renewed calls for stronger measures to address insecurity.
Just days earlier, President Bola Tinubu reiterated his administration’s hardline stance against criminal elements during his Democracy Day address.
He warned terrorists, kidnappers and their sponsors to abandon their activities or face decisive action from security agencies.
The president disclosed that more than 13,000 terrorists had been eliminated over the past year and asserted that terror-related fatalities had declined significantly since 2015.
However, he acknowledged that the continued detention of abducted schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states underscored the security challenges still confronting the nation.
The emergency sitting is expected to take place against the backdrop of ongoing efforts by lawmakers to reform Nigeria’s policing structure.
Last week, both the Senate and the House of Representatives advanced constitutional amendment proposals aimed at creating state police formations.
The proposed legislation seeks to move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, thereby empowering states to establish and manage their own police services.
To facilitate the change, amendments have been proposed to several provisions of the 1999 Constitution, including Sections 197, 214 and 215.
The Senate has already passed the bill for second reading, reflecting growing legislative support for decentralised policing as a possible solution to the country’s security challenges.
With insecurity expected to dominate discussions, the June 23 emergency plenary provides senators with an opportunity to examine the nation’s security landscape and consider additional legislative measures aimed at strengthening public safety.
