Doguwa Calls for National Assembly Shutdown as Bandit Attacks Displace Bauchi Villagers
By ThankGod Inalegwu
Nigeria’s worsening security crisis has again come under sharp scrutiny following fresh attacks in Bauchi State that forced dozens of families to flee their homes, deepening fears over the country’s capacity to protect its citizens.
Several villages in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State were recently invaded by heavily armed attackers, sending residents into panic. Survivors said families fled on foot through difficult terrain, seeking safety in Kashere, a town in neighbouring Gombe State.
Displaced residents are now taking refuge in classrooms at Kashere Central Primary School, where makeshift shelters have replaced blackboards and desks. Witnesses described a heartbreaking scene of mothers clutching infants, hungry children crying, and elderly people collapsing from exhaustion after hours of trekking to safety.
The latest displacement reflects a broader pattern of insecurity that has plagued many parts of Nigeria. Communities across Kaduna, Zamfara, Plateau, and Benue states have repeatedly faced violent attacks from bandits and terrorist groups, forcing farmers to abandon their lands and leaving schools closed in several rural areas.
The growing crisis has sparked renewed outrage among political leaders and lawmakers.
In Abuja, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), delivered a scathing criticism of the nation’s leadership while reacting to the wave of violence.
Doguwa called for the temporary shutdown of the National Assembly, questioning the relevance of legislative activities in a country grappling with widespread bloodshed.
“Shut down the National Assembly. Who are you legislating for when the country is running in blood?” he said, arguing that the priority of government should be restoring security and protecting lives.
His remarks have intensified debate over the effectiveness of government responses to insecurity and reflect growing frustration among both lawmakers and citizens who believe the crisis has reached alarming proportions.
Meanwhile, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has called for urgent federal intervention and proposed a regional security summit to address the escalating violence affecting communities in the North-East and North-Central regions.
Security analysts warn that the continued attacks and displacement of rural populations could have long-term consequences for Nigeria’s stability. Abandoned farms threaten food production, while displaced families face rising poverty and limited access to education and healthcare.
Observers say the events in Bauchi highlight the urgent need for coordinated national action to address the country’s security challenges before the humanitarian crisis deepens further.
As thousands of displaced villagers struggle to rebuild their lives in temporary shelters, many Nigerians say the nation must confront a difficult question: whether its institutions can respond swiftly enough to halt the spread of violence and restore confidence in the state’s ability to protect its people.