Nigeria’s escalating insecurity crisis has deepened calls for decisive action, as regional and political groups accuse the Federal Government of failing to protect citizens against kidnappers, bandits and organised criminal networks.

Regional interventions intensified yesterday as the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) demanded a national security emergency, Afenifere urged South-West communities to prepare for self-defence against bandits, and the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) issued President Bola Tinubu a 14-day ultimatum over worsening kidnappings.

This came as security experts and retired security chiefs backed the establishment of state police, urging the Senate to accelerate constitutional and legislative reforms needed for its implementation amid worsening insecurity across the country.

The experts, however, cautioned against both unnecessary delays and hasty implementation, stressing the need for a carefully coordinated framework capable of addressing constitutional, operational and funding concerns.

Recall that Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, recently expressed optimism that the State Police bill could be passed into law this week.

Meanwhile, the Northern Elders Forum criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over worsening insecurity across the country, declaring that Nigeria is “bleeding” under escalating violence, kidnappings and banditry.

The forum called on the Federal Government to immediately declare a national security emergency and implement extraordinary measures to reverse the situation.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Prof Abubakar Jika Jiddere, NEF said the alarming deterioration of security across the country had reached a level requiring urgent and decisive action.

Jiddere accused authorities of failing in their constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property, warning that public confidence in government was rapidly eroding as violence spreads across the nation.

The forum cited Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, which states that the security and welfare of citizens shall be the primary purpose of government, arguing that persistent attacks on communities, mass abductions and killings across the country raise serious concerns about the effectiveness of current security measures.

According to the forum, millions of Nigerians remain exposed to kidnappers, terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.

Jiddere said: “Today, Nigerians are compelled to ask a painful but legitimate question: if the protection of lives and property is the foremost duty of the government, why are citizens increasingly left to fend for themselves against kidnappers, terrorists, bandits, violent extremists, and organised 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 Forum is particularly disturbed by the growing normalisation of mass abductions and kidnapping-for-ransom. What began as isolated criminal incidents has evolved into a sophisticated criminal economy that exploits weak enforcement, porous borders, illegal arms proliferation, and inadequate intelligence coordination.

“In many affected communities, criminal groups appear capable of operating for extended periods with little resistance, undermining public confidence in the capacity of the state to guarantee security.

“Farmers are abandoning farmlands. Food production is declining. Rural economies are collapsing. Investors are losing confidence. Children are deprived of education. Families are being pushed into poverty by ransom payments and displacement. Entire communities now live under the constant threat of attack. No serious nation can accept such a situation as normal.”

The forum also criticised what it described as inadequate security presence in many troubled communities, delayed responses to attacks and failure to prosecute perpetrators of major crimes.

It called for comprehensive investigations into illegal mining activities and other forms of resource exploitation allegedly linked to insecurity in parts of the country, insisting that criminal networks thrive where governance and oversight are weak.

It added, “This is not a partisan issue; this is not a regional issue; this is not an ethnic issue. This is a national emergency; Nigeria cannot prosper while its citizens live under fear. The blood of innocent Nigerians should trouble the conscience of every public office holder entrusted with the responsibility of governance.

“History will not judge leaders by the promises they made. It will judge them by the lives they protected, the communities they secured, and the nation they preserved. The time for assurances has passed. The time for measurable action is now.”

Afenifere urges S’West communities to prepare for self-defence against bandits

For its part, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Ondo State chapter, called on South-West communities to remain vigilant and prepare for self-defence against the infiltration of bandits into the region.

The group also urged traditional rulers to immediately activate community defence systems to prevent planned attacks by bandits and their local collaborators.

Afenifere warned that criminal groups were attempting to take over territories in the South-West, stressing that communities must act swiftly to counter what it described as “orchestrated hegemonic territorial armed onslaughts”.

In a statement signed by the State Chairman, Korede Duyile, and State Secretary, Bakkita Bello, the group maintained that its earlier warnings over the influx of unknown individuals into the region were ignored.

The organisation lamented the abduction of 42 schoolchildren and seven teachers on May 15, 2026, in Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Council Area of Oyo State, and urged governments at all levels to provide resources needed for effective surveillance and intelligence gathering.

The statement read in part: “The Ondo State Chapter of Afenifere, the Yoruba Socio-Political Group, laments the unfortunate abductions of 42 schoolchildren and seven teachers on May 15, 2026, from Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota, both located in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

“Tragically, the godless bandits even decapitated one of the teachers! We denounce and condemn in the strongest terms their continuous captivity under the most callous and inhuman environmental conditions, as well as prolonged deliberate physical and emotional maltreatment ever imagined.

“We identify very sincerely with the affected children and teachers, their families, their communities and the government of Oyo State at this critical time of enduring pain and reckless provocation.

“The very act that has subjected all those affected to psychological and physical tortures is not only condemnable as heinous and evil but also an unpardonable sin against humanity and all reasonableness.

“We pray for speedy divine intervention and rescue of all those in the marauders’ captivity in Oyo State, as well as other numerous captives being held in Ondo State and other parts of Nigeria. We also wish all victims speedy recovery from inflicted injuries and trauma.”

The group commended the Federal Government and other individuals involved in rescue operations, while praising Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for his response to the situation.

“We appreciate the concern of the Federal Government. We do not forget all the good people who have been genuinely involved in the rescue operations. We commend you all.

“We particularly salute the courage of Governor Seyi Makinde in the face of these challenges. How we earnestly wish that the current unfortunate abductions did not happen! However, we can only hope that the unfortunate incident will help remind all our South-West governors of the incessant calls, pleas and warnings made by Afenifere over the years,” the statement added.

The group reiterated its call for the establishment of state police, regional governments and constitutional roles for traditional rulers.

DLA gives Tinubu 14-day ultimatum over rising kidnappings

Similarly, the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) issued a 14-day ultimatum to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanding urgent and measurable action to address the escalating kidnapping crisis across the country.

In an open letter addressed to the President and signed by the party’s National Chairman, Samuel M. Memeh, and National Secretary, Grace Obekpa, the DLA expressed concern over the worsening security situation, describing it as one of the most serious challenges confronting the nation.

The party said Nigerians are increasingly living in fear as kidnappers continue to target citizens on highways, in homes, schools, farms, places of worship and communities across the country.

According to the DLA, the growing menace has severely affected economic activities, agricultural production, investment, education and the overall well-being of citizens.

“Today, many Nigerians can no longer travel freely. Farmers are increasingly unable to access their farmlands. Rural communities are under constant threat. Businesses are suffering, economic activities are declining, and countless families are living in fear and uncertainty,” the letter stated.

The opposition party acknowledged efforts by the Federal Government to address insecurity, including plans to recruit additional forest guards, but argued that such measures alone would not adequately confront the scale of the crisis.

The DLA called for a comprehensive national security strategy combining intelligence gathering, technological surveillance, stronger border controls, anti-corruption measures, community engagement, institutional accountability and enhanced support for security agencies.

“The increasing boldness of kidnappers and criminal gangs has created the impression that criminal elements are gaining confidence while ordinary citizens are losing faith in the ability of the government to protect them,” the party said.

The party also paid tribute to members of the Armed Forces, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies, noting that many personnel have made significant sacrifices in the fight against insecurity and deserve improved welfare, modern equipment and stronger intelligence support.

Declaring that the issue transcends politics, the DLA urged the President to demonstrate decisive leadership in addressing the challenge.

“This is not the time for politics. This is the time for governance. Nigerians are looking for reassurance, leadership, and results,” the letter stated.

The party further called on the Federal Government to immediately activate a coordinated national action plan against kidnapping and related crimes.

It warned that if there is no “significant demonstration of commitment” within 14 days, it would consider lawful democratic actions, public advocacy campaigns, strategic engagements with national and international stakeholders, and other constitutional measures aimed at drawing attention to the worsening insecurity situation.

Experts back state police, urge Senate to fast-track reforms amid insecurity

Amid worsening insecurity across the country, security professionals and retired military officers have renewed calls for the establishment of state police, while advocating a balanced implementation process that avoids both undue delays and poorly planned execution.

A former Assistant Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Bille David Urbanus, called on the Senate to work closely with committees and stakeholders engaged by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) on state policing to develop a realistic implementation framework.

While commending the IGP for initiating consultations and proposing a roadmap for state police, Urbanus argued that the proposed 60-month implementation period was too long, considering the country’s worsening security situation.

According to him, Nigeria is currently battling terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, communal clashes, farmer-herder conflicts, oil theft and other violent crimes, making it necessary for the government to fast-track reforms aimed at strengthening grassroots security.

Urbanus, however, warned against rushing the process without proper planning, noting that poorly conceived implementation could create constitutional, operational and funding challenges capable of undermining the effectiveness of state policing.

“State police is not something that can be implemented overnight because it requires constitutional amendments, clear operational guidelines, funding mechanisms, recruitment standards, training modules and oversight structures. At the same time, considering the alarming rate of insecurity across the country, it is not a process that should be delayed for five years,” he said.

The former NSCDC chief said although the IGP’s phased approach reflected caution and thoroughness, the proposed five-year timeline failed to reflect the urgency of Nigeria’s security realities.

The Senate should encourage the IGP and all relevant institutions to review the proposed timeline. Instead of 60 months, a period of between six months and two years could be explored, depending on the level of preparedness of the states and the speed of legislative action. While the process must not be rushed, it should not be unnecessarily prolonged,” he added.

Urbanus also dismissed fears that governors could abuse state police for political purposes, insisting that such concerns should not obstruct a reform many security experts consider necessary.

According to him, risks of abuse could be mitigated through constitutional checks and balances, independent oversight mechanisms, judicial review and clearly defined operational boundaries.

Also speaking, retired Rear Admiral Abraham Adaji said there was no contradiction between the IGP’s proposal on state police implementation and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele’s position that the National Assembly remained committed to passing the State Police Bill.

According to him, both initiatives are complementary and should be viewed as part of a coordinated effort to establish an effective state policing system.

Adaji explained that while committees established by the IGP were examining operational and administrative issues, the National Assembly was focused on creating the legal framework required for the proposed structure.

“It is not that the IGP committees will implement state police on their own, nor does it mean that once the Senate passes the bill, implementation will commence immediately. All these processes remain subject to executive assent, which is a critical component of the process,” he said.

The retired naval officer maintained that state police would operate within Nigeria’s broader federal security architecture and would not replace the Nigeria Police Force.

“There is no conflict between what the Senate is doing and what the IGP committees are doing. Both are working towards the same objective of strengthening security across the country,” he said.

Meanwhile, security expert, private investigator and media entrepreneur, Dr Matthew Ibadin, also described the IGP’s proposed timeline as too long given the alarming rate of kidnappings across the country.

He argued that the Senate was not rushing the process, insisting that Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution must first be amended before any meaningful discussion on state policing could proceed.

Ibadin further explained that the passage of the bill alone would not automatically bring state police into operation.

After the passage of the bill into law, there will still be a need to secure the ratification of at least 24 State Houses of Assembly across the country, representing the required two-thirds majority. There is also a need to establish a National State Police Commission to regulate State Police Boards, particularly in the areas of recruitment and operational standards.

“In addition, there must be strong accountability mechanisms to regulate state police operations and prevent their abuse by politicians. States will also need to provide the necessary infrastructure and ensure standardisation across the system.

“All these ingredients are essential; otherwise, the same challenges currently confronting the federal policing system will simply resurface under a different structure,” Ibadin said. (The Guardian)

Update news