Nigeria’s bleeding, declare nat’l security emergency – Northern elders tell Tinubu

As insecurity challenges continue, the northern elders under the auspices of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) on Wednesday demanded that President Bola Tinubu declare a national security emergency.

A statement signed by its spokesperson, Prof Abubakar Jiddere, the NEF says security challenge in the country is already at its precipice, and urgent and drastic steps need to be taken to salvage the country from falling into anarchy.

The NEF also said Nigerians are deeply in fear and when citizens live in fear, communities are under siege, and criminal elements operate with increasing boldness; millions of law-abiding citizens remain vulnerable.

The statement reads in part, “The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) expresses its deepest outrage and concern over the relentless collapse of security across the Federal Republic of Nigeria. No nation can claim progress when its citizens live in fear, its communities are under siege, and criminal elements operate with increasing boldness while millions of law-abiding citizens remain vulnerable.

“Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”

“Today, Nigerians are compelled to ask a painful but legitimate question: if the protection of lives and property is the foremost duty of government, why are citizens increasingly left to fend for themselves against kidnappers, terrorists, bandits, violent extremists, and organized criminal gangs?

“Since independence in 1960, Nigeria has confronted numerous security threats, including the Civil War, Maitatsine uprisings, armed militancy in the Niger Delta, sectarian violence, separatist agitations, cattle rustling, armed robbery, and the Boko Haram insurgency. Yet never in recent history has the country witnessed the simultaneous spread of multiple forms of insecurity across virtually every region as is being experienced today.

“From the forests of Zamfara and Katsina to the highways of Kaduna and Niger; from communities in Plateau and Benue to parts of Kogi, Kwara, Borno, Oyo, Edo, Enugu, Imo and beyond, violence has become a recurring feature of daily life. Communities are attacked, citizens are abducted, farmers are displaced from their lands, travellers are ambushed on major highways, and businesses are forced to operate under conditions of uncertainty and fear.

“Independent security reports over the years have consistently documented thousands of deaths, abductions, and displacements arising from violent criminal activities. While governments may differ in their approaches and achievements, the reality confronting Nigerians today is that insecurity remains one of the gravest threats to national stability, economic growth, and social cohesion.

“The Northern Elders Forum therefore calls on the Federal Government to immediately declare a National Security Emergency and implement extraordinary measures to reverse the current trajectory.”

Other demands include: Immediate restructuring and strengthening of intelligence coordination among all security agencies; Aggressive disruption of kidnapping and banditry networks through sustained operations and modern surveillance capabilities.

“Full investigation and prosecution of sponsors, collaborators, financiers, and beneficiaries of violent criminal groups, regardless of status, ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation.

“Comprehensive auditing of illegal mining operations and criminal economic activities linked to insecurity.

“Enhanced protection of farming communities, schools, transportation corridors, and vulnerable rural populations.
Greater transparency and accountability regarding security expenditures and operational outcomes.

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