Southern Alliance Calls for Action on Rising Insecurity

On June 15, the Southern Solidarity Alliance urged the federal government to coordinate efforts with state and local governments to tackle escalating insecurity across Southern Nigeria. The group warned that banditry, kidnappings, and armed attacks have become urgent national emergencies, undermining public confidence in security institutions and disrupting economic and social life.

They reported incidents of killings and kidnappings in states such as Abia, Anambra, Delta, Edo, Oyo, and Ekiti, highlighting the vulnerability of schoolchildren, teachers, and farmers. The alliance expressed concern over the increasing attacks and noted that a cross-border criminal network is operating in the region.

They recommended deploying military forces, establishing community vigilance groups, and enhancing intelligence sharing among security agencies. The group also called for the federal government to discontinue negotiations with terrorist groups and to invest in youth development and rural economies to reduce vulnerability to crime.

The alliance stands in solidarity with victims of banditry and kidnappings across Southern Nigeria.