SMBLF urges Tinubu to declare a national security emergency and set up special terrorism courts.

By Henry Umoru, Abuja

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a comprehensive national security emergency, citing a sharp rise in insecurity across Nigeria.

The forum also called for a substantial increase in funding, equipment, and welfare support for the armed forces, police, intelligence agencies, and other security services that are confronting terrorism and banditry.

In a statement signed on Wednesday by forum leaders—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 warned that Nigeria’s leadership appears increasingly distracted by politics ahead of the 2027 elections, despite the ongoing security crisis.

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

The forum 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 claims of an N800 billion campaign fund allegedly linked to preparations for the 2027 elections.

It further demanded permanent security deployment in vulnerable communities, schools, highways, and farming areas, and 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, the destruction of farming communities, and rising food insecurity across several regions.

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

The forum warned that large areas of the country—especially the North West, North East, and Middle Belt—are increasingly under the influence of armed groups, while insecurity is 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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