SMBLF to Tinubu: Call for national security emergency, special terrorism courts

By Henry Umoru, Abuja

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a comprehensive national security emergency, warning that worsening insecurity across the country has reached alarming levels.

The group also urged the Federal Government to significantly increase funding, equipment, and welfare support for the armed forces, police, intelligence agencies, and other security services battling terrorism and banditry.

In a statement signed on Wednesday by leaders of the forum, including Oba Oladipo Olaitan (Afenifere), Dr. Bitrus Pogu (Middle Belt Forum), Senator John Azuta-Mbata (Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide), and Ambassador Godknows Igali (PANDEF), the group said Nigeria’s leadership appeared increasingly distracted by politics ahead of the 2027 elections despite the security crisis.

SMBLF also called for the establishment of special courts to ensure speedy trial of terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry cases, arguing that swift justice was necessary to deter criminal activities.

The forum further urged anti-corruption agencies including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to investigate alleged claims of an N800 billion campaign fund reportedly linked to preparations for the 2027 elections.

It also called for permanent security deployment in vulnerable communities, schools, highways, and farming areas, as well as the creation of a special intervention fund for internally displaced persons to provide food, shelter, healthcare, and education.

According to the statement, Nigeria is facing a deepening security crisis marked by repeated mass kidnappings and attacks on civilians, particularly in recent incidents involving schoolchildren in parts of Oyo, Borno, and Kogi states.

The group also expressed concern over the continued displacement of millions of Nigerians, destruction of farming communities, and rising food insecurity across several regions.

While commending the recent rescue of 360 hostages in Southern Borno, SMBLF said more coordinated efforts were needed to secure the release of all remaining captives nationwide.

The forum warned that large areas of the country, particularly in the North West, North East, and Middle Belt, were increasingly under the influence of armed groups, while insecurity was also spreading to parts of the South West.

It urged government at all levels to prioritise the protection of citizens, stressing that security remains a constitutional duty that must not be compromised by political considerations.

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