The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to held returnee Nigerian girls trafficked to Mali and other West African countries for prostitution and slave labour.

The House, therefore, enjoined the federal government to develop a comprehensive framework for the repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of trafficked Nigerian girls returning from Mali, Togo, Ghana and other West African countries.

This follows renewed concerns over rising cases of human trafficking involving Nigerian girls and ladies lured into sexual exploitation and forced labour abroad.

The motion was sponsored by Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, who stressed the urgency of coordinated government action to address the trend.

Lawmakers also reaffirmed their commitment to gender inclusion as they push for accelerated consideration of the Special Seats for Women Bill currently before the National Assembly.

Jesse Onuakalusi, who led debate on the motion, said the proposed legislation would help correct the persistent underrepresentation of women in governance.

The House further moved to provide legislative backing for the establishment of the Department of State Research and Development within the Department of State Services, as well as the creation of the National Institute of Public Health and Infectious Diseases.

The bills were sponsored by the Speaker and supported by Francis Waive and Amobi Ogah, who highlighted their importance to national security and public health advancement.

In separate interventions, lawmakers from Askira-Uba/Hawul in Borno State and Kachia/Kagarko in Kaduna State, raised concerns over continued insecurity in their constituencies, lamenting cases of killings, kidnappings, and general banditry.

They called for urgent government response to protect affected communities.

The House Committee on Public Petitions also presented 12 reports, including a petition by Bash Ali, seeking parliamentary intervention over the proposed Guinness World Boxing Championship fight in Africa, as well as allegations of sabotage and impunity in the National Sports Commission.