Northern Elders Forum Urges Tinubu to Declare Security Emergency

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a national security emergency in Nigeria, citing a critical deterioration in the country's security situation. In a statement issued on Wednesday, signed by spokesperson Prof.

Abubakar Jidder, the NEF expressed deep outrage over the relentless collapse of security across Nigeria, warning that urgent measures are needed to prevent the country from sliding into anarchy. The forum highlighted that no nation can claim progress when its citizens live in fear, as criminal elements operate increasingly boldly, leaving millions vulnerable.

They referenced Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution, stressing that the protection of lives and welfare of citizens is the primary responsibility of the government. The NEF noted various security challenges, including civil unrest, armed robbery, and insurgency, and described the current wave of insecurity as unprecedented.

They called for stronger intelligence coordination among security agencies and the prosecution of sponsors of criminal groups, urging the federal government to implement extraordinary measures to reverse the current trajectory.