Security Emergency Declaration: Nigerians Question Tinubu’s Timing as Critics Demand Real Action
By: Abudu Olalekan
Too little, too late. That’s what many Nigerians are saying about President Tinubu’s security emergency declaration.
The announcement came Tuesday after yet another wave of kidnappings and terror attacks. More personnel, the president promised. A state of emergency on security. But here’s the thing – people have heard this before. They want action, not words.
Dr. Bitrus Pogu of the MBF didn’t hold back. “There are saboteurs in government and the military,” he said bluntly. The insurgents have infiltrated everything. He’s right to be frustrated. How can you fight an enemy that’s already inside your house?
Pogu remembers what happened during Jonathan’s administration. Same playbook, different president. “The Americans know where these terrorists are hiding,” he argues. “Let them help us.” Pride won’t save lives.
Then there’s Chief Bode George, the PDP elder statesman. Stop recruiting soldiers, he says. Wrong solution. “We don’t need more federal police,” the retired general insists. “What we need is state police. Period.”
His logic? Simple. How can a Yoruba officer posted to Borno State effectively police a community whose language he doesn’t speak? Whose customs he doesn’t understand? It’s like asking a fish to climb a tree.
George remembers the 2014 National Conference. Everyone agreed on state police then. “Why is the president running away from it now?” Good question.
But wait – won’t governors misuse state police during elections? George scoffs at this. “We’re looking for solutions to save lives, and people are worried about elections? This is getting us to Armageddon.”
Chief Chekwas Okorie offers cautious optimism though. He calls Tinubu’s moves the boldest yet on security. Open grazing causes 80% of Middle Belt clashes, he notes. Ban it. Establish state police. Include community policing. “I give him hundred percent endorsement,” Okorie says. Then adds the kicker: “I hope he walks the talk.”
That’s the problem, isn’t it? Walking the talk.
Prince Adewole Adebayo of the SDP isn’t buying any of it. He’s angry. Really angry. “They could capture Nnamdi Kanu in Kenya but can’t catch kidnappers roaming our forests?” The double standard stinks, he says.
Remember Lawrence Anini? That armed robber terrorizing Bendel State? Babangida asked one question – “Where is Anini?” – and boom, they caught him. “Tinubu needs to ask his IGP the same question about these kidnappers,” Adebayo demands.
He thinks Trump’s tweet woke Tinubu up. Embarrasing, if true.
The lawyers? They’re confused. Francis Nzelu, a Senior Advocate, admits he doesn’t understand the declaration. “Emergency on what exactly?” The language is strange, unclear. Is it emergency on security or emergency on combating killings? Nobody knows.
“These bandits aren’t faceless,” Nzelu claims. “They know them.” That’s a bombshell accusation. He suggests some people benefit from the chaos. Twenty years of bloated security budgets. Where’s the money going?
Malachy Ugwunmadu, another senior lawyer, agrees the response is too late. Tinubu was vice-president in spirit during Buhari’s administration. He should’ve hit the ground running, not crawling after two and half years.
“Security isn’t charity,” Ugwunmadu reminds everyone. “It’s government’s primary purpose.” Section 14 of the constitution says so.
Comrade Moshood Erubami wants uniformity. Don’t leave state police to governors discretion. Make it mandatory nationwide. The DSS should flush out terrorists from ungoverned spaces. Do their actual job.
Meanwhile, families are grieving. Communities are terrified. Children can’t go to school safely. Farmers abandon their lands.
The measures might be bold on paper. But Nigerians have seen bold promises before. They’ve heard declarations. What they haven’t seen? Results.
Until kidnappers stop operating freely, until communities feel safe, until the killing stops – all these declarations are just noise. Beautiful, official noise.
