#PlenaryHighlights: Thursday, March 12, 2026
During Thursday’s plenary, the House of Representatives considered several Matters of Urgent Public Importance raised by Honourable Members, drawing national attention to pressing concerns relating to insecurity, higher education administration, and emerging public health risks. Following deliberations, the House adopted key resolutions aimed at strengthening government response and protecting affected communities.
Benue Insecurity and Border Security Measures
The House expressed grave concern over recent coordinated attacks by armed mercenaries and bandits on communities in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, which have led to deaths, injuries, destruction of property, and the displacement of residents.
Members noted that the porous Nigeria–Cameroon border corridor provides entry routes and safe havens for armed groups, while illegal mining activities in the mineral-rich border region have attracted criminal networks and worsened insecurity.
The House therefore called on the Federal Government to deploy additional security technology to the affected border communities and also consider transforming the Benue Nigeria–Cameroon border area into an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) to enhance security and stimulate legitimate economic activities.
UNIBEN Optometry Admission Crisis
The House raised concerns over developments in the Department of Optometry at the University of Benin, where reports suggest that students admitted through official processes involving the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and the university now face uncertainty due to alleged over-admission into the programme.
The House called on the university management to suspend any transfer, denial of clearance, or exclusion of affected students pending investigations, ensuring that no student duly admitted and who has paid acceptance fees is denied the opportunity to continue in the programme.
The House Committee on University Education was mandated to investigate the matter by engaging the National Universities Commission, JAMB, UNIBEN management, relevant professional bodies, parents, and affected students, and to report back within two weeks.
Public Health Concerns Over Local Grinding Machines
The House also considered reports from the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi indicating that some locally fabricated grinding machines used in processing staple foods such as tomatoes, peppers, onions, and melon seeds may contain traces of heavy metals.
These metals including lead, copper, chromium, nickel, cadmium, and manganese reportedly exceed limits recommended by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization in certain cases. Members observed that prolonged exposure to such substances may lead to serious health complications, including kidney failure, liver damage, neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and increased cancer risk.
Consequently, the House mandated its Committees on Health Care Services, Industry, Science and Technology, and Commerce to jointly investigate the claims and report back.
Condemnation of Michika Attack in Adamawa State
The House strongly condemned the killing of 27 civilians following a night attack by insurgents linked to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province on the Shuwari community in Michika Ward, Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Members observed a minute of silence in honour of the victims and called for the deployment of additional security personnel to the area, given its proximity to the international border and its vulnerability to repeated attacks. The House also urged the National Emergency Management Agency to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to displaced persons and affected communities.
Call for Permanent Military Command in Hong LGA
In a related development, the House raised alarm over renewed attacks on communities in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State, which resulted in the killing of several residents including three soldiers and the destruction of nearly four villages during coordinated assaults in late February 2026.
The House called on the Federal Government to establish a permanent military command in the area to strengthen security presence and deter further attacks. It also urged the National Emergency Management Agency to provide immediate relief materials for displaced persons, while mandating the North-East Development Commission to rebuild the affected school facility previously used as an Army camp that was overrun during the attacks.
Flashcards highlighting the key resolutions and policy implications of these matters are available for further reading.
