June 10, 2026
By Henry Umoru, Abuja
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a comprehensive national security emergency, warning that worsening insecurity across the country has reached alarming levels.
The group also urged the Federal Government to significantly increase funding, equipment, and welfare support for the armed forces, police, intelligence agencies, and other security services battling terrorism and banditry.
In a statement signed on Wednesday by leaders of the forum, including Oba Oladipo Olaitan (Afenifere), Dr. Bitrus Pogu (Middle Belt Forum), Senator John Azuta-Mbata (Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide), and Ambassador Godknows Igali (PANDEF), the group said Nigeria’s leadership appeared increasingly distracted by politics ahead of the 2027 elections despite the security crisis.
