SOUTH-WEST CAN URGES SECURITY EMERGENCY AS TINUBU VOWS STRONGER ACTION AGAINST INSECURITY, ECONOMIC HARDSHIP
SOUTH-WEST CAN URGES SECURITY EMERGENCY AS TINUBU VOWS STRONGER ACTION AGAINST INSECURITY, ECONOMIC HARDSHIP The South-West chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security, amid rising cases of kidnapping, banditry and violent crimes across the country. The appeal came as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to intensifying efforts to tackle insecurity and reduce economic hardship nationwide. The South-West CAN Chairman, Bishop Barnabas Akin Akinsanya, warned that the region is becoming increasingly vulnerable to criminal activities, noting that insecurity had grown beyond isolated incidents into a recurring national crisis. He said recent abductions and violent attacks in states such as Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo and Lagos had heightened fear among residents and threatened national peace, economic stability and social cohesion. According to him, the South-West can no longer afford complacency as forests, highways, farms and border communities face increasing infiltration by criminal groups. Akin-Akinsanya urged the Federal Government to adopt extraordinary measures, including
- Declaration of a national security emergency
- Urgent strengthening of Nigeria’s security architecture
- Deployment of modern surveillance technologies such as drones and intelligence systems
- Enhanced rapid-response capacity for security agencies
- Strengthening international security cooperation
- Speedy implementation of state policing
He also called on South-West governors to improve regional security collaboration, deepen intelligence sharing and support community based surveillance systems. In response, President Tinubu, through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, assured Nigerians that his administration is fully aware of the hardship, insecurity and displacement affecting citizens.
Akume said the government is committed to delivering sustainable democratic dividends, improving living conditions and strengthening national security. He stressed that protecting lives and property remains the top priority of the administration, adding that security agencies are being equipped with necessary resources to secure communities and defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity. He further stated that efforts to rescue kidnapped victims across the country remain ongoing and a national priority. “The Government of Nigeria shall never succumb to terror, banditry or any form of criminal intimidation,” he said. In a related development, the Oyo State Police Command confirmed the rescue of Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke, sister of former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons, Peter and Paul. The rescue followed a coordinated intelligence led operation involving the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) and other tactical units. Police said the victims were abducted on June 3, 2026, in Ibadan while on their way to school. Two suspected kidnappers were killed during a gun duel, while four others were arrested.
- Three pump-action guns
- 14 live cartridges
- An unregistered Toyota Corolla
- Weapons, charms and suspected drugs
The police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend fleeing gang members. Also in Oyo State, the Nigerian Air Force NAF deployed aerial surveillance to support rescue operations for abducted teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area. Governor Seyi Makinde said the aerial platform has provided critical intelligence for ongoing search-and-rescue missions, while commending the Air Force for its swift response. The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) reaffirmed its partnership with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism, noting that joint operations continue to strengthen intelligence-sharing and operational effectiveness. Meanwhile, security analyst Chike Okogwu argued that Nigeria’s insecurity cannot be solved by military force alone, insisting that governance failures, weak institutions and lack of public trust are major contributing factors. He stressed the need for improved governance, economic opportunity and leadership accountability. Advocacy group FixPolitics Africa also called for urgent action over repeated school abductions, warning that the crisis poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s future. The group criticized what it described as inadequate government response, stressing that condemnation must be backed by effective rescue and prevention strategies. Across different sectors—religious groups, government officials, security agencies, international partners and civil society there is a growing consensus that Nigeria’s security challenges require urgent, coordinated and multi-layered solutions combining military action, governance reforms and stronger community protection system.
