Growing insecurity across Nigeria has intensified calls for urgent government action, with regional groups, political organizations and security experts criticizing authorities over rising kidnappings, banditry and violent crime.
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) on Wednesday called for the immediate declaration of a national security emergency, saying the country is facing one of its worst security crises in recent history.
In a statement, NEF spokesperson Abubakar Jika Jiddere accused the government of failing in its constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property, arguing that public confidence in state institutions is eroding as attacks continue across the country.
“Nigeria cannot prosper while its citizens live under fear,” Jiddere said, citing widespread kidnappings, killings and displacement in several states.
The group said insecurity has disrupted farming, weakened rural economies, reduced investor confidence and forced many communities to live under constant threat of attack.
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization Afenifere also expressed concern over growing insecurity, urging communities in southwestern Nigeria to strengthen local vigilance and self-defense measures against bandit attacks.
In a statement issued by its Ondo State chapter, the group warned of increasing infiltration by criminal gangs and called on traditional rulers to activate community security structures.
Afenifere referenced the abduction of 42 schoolchildren and seven teachers in Oyo State in May and urged governments at all levels to invest more in surveillance and intelligence gathering.
The group reiterated its support for the creation of state police, regional governance structures and constitutional roles for traditional rulers in local security management.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), an opposition political party, gave President Bola Tinubu a 14-day ultimatum to demonstrate measurable progress in tackling kidnappings and other violent crimes.
In an open letter signed by National Chairman Samuel Memeh and National Secretary Grace Obekpa, the party described the security situation as one of the country’s most pressing challenges.
The DLA said kidnappings have disrupted farming, business activities, education and transportation, leaving many Nigerians fearful for their safety.
The party called for a comprehensive security strategy that includes intelligence gathering, technological surveillance, stronger border controls, anti-corruption measures and improved support for security agencies.
“This is not the time for politics. This is the time for governance,” the letter said.
The group warned that if there is no significant action within two weeks, it will pursue lawful democratic measures, including advocacy campaigns and stakeholder engagement, to draw attention to the crisis.
Amid the growing debate, security experts and retired military officers renewed calls for the establishment of state police as a long-term solution to Nigeria’s security challenges.
Former Assistant Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Bille David Urbanus, urged lawmakers to accelerate reforms while ensuring that implementation is carefully planned.
Urbanus said the country cannot afford a prolonged delay in establishing state police given the ongoing threats posed by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts and oil theft.
However, he cautioned that the process requires constitutional amendments, operational guidelines, funding arrangements, recruitment standards and oversight mechanisms to ensure effectiveness and prevent abuse.
Retired Rear Adm. Abraham Adaji said efforts by the National Assembly and the Inspector-General of Police to advance state policing should be viewed as complementary rather than conflicting.
He noted that while lawmakers are focused on creating the legal framework, police committees are addressing operational and administrative issues needed for implementation.
Security analyst Matthew Ibadin also backed the proposal but stressed that constitutional amendments, legislative approvals and accountability safeguards must be completed before state police can become operational.
He warned that without adequate oversight and standardization, the same challenges affecting the current federal policing system could be replicated at the state level.
The Senate is currently considering legislation that would pave the way for the establishment of state police, a proposal supporters argue could strengthen grassroots security and improve responses to local threats.
