Leaders of Southern and Middle Belt regions of Nigeria have issued a strong statement calling on the Federal Government and National Assembly to urgently address rising insecurity and constitutional violations across the country.
This was the outcome of an emergency meeting held by the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) on June 18, 2025.
In the communique released after the meeting, the group accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect lives and property. They described the continued attacks by armed Fulani groups and foreign fighters on communities, especially in the Middle Belt, as acts of genocide.
“The Federal Government and the National Assembly must now accept their failure to provide the most fundamental security of life and property,” the communique stated. “We witness the impunity of Fulani terrorists and their foreign collaborators wrecking genocidal attacks on indigenous communities.”
The group also described the deployment of military forces to crisis areas as a weak, temporary response that puts unnecessary pressure on the armed forces and leaves communities vulnerable.
Calls for State Police and Immediate Community Security Measures
The forum called for the urgent restructuring of Nigeria’s security framework. It proposed that each state should have its own police command with divisions at local and community levels. Officers of the rank of Chief Superintendent and below, they added, should serve only in their home states.
The leaders rejected the proposed National Forest Guards, describing it as a federal intrusion on states’ constitutional rights. “Lands and forests are the exclusive constitutional prerogatives of the federating states,” they said.
They further demanded the end of the illegal seizure of community lands for private ranching and rejected any attempt to bring back RUGA in any form. According to them, the government must free all communities currently occupied by armed herders and stop displacing indigenous people into IDP camps.
They warned that if the federal authorities fail to act, states should follow the example of Amotekun in the South West and arm their local security networks to defend their territories.
“These measures are more effective than the current unitary architecture, which renders governors chief security officers in name only,” the statement declared.
Rejects Emergency Rule in Rivers State
The forum strongly condemned the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State, calling it “illegal and of no utilitarian value in a democratic state.” They insisted that normal governance must resume without delay and warned against military interference in civilian structures.
“Any appointment into state agencies or conduct of elections by the military administrator is illegal,” they said.
They called on the National Assembly to perform its oversight duties with dignity and resist any attempt to tamper with the democratic rights of Rivers people.
The leaders described any plan by the interim military administrator to appoint local government officials or influence constitutional bodies as unacceptable and damaging to democracy.
“Attempts to impose his choices on the structures of the state must not be tolerated,” the forum said. “Such actions will be seen as prejudicing peaceful resolutions and ambushing democratic freedoms.”
They concluded the statement with a united declaration: “Enough is enough! Enough is enough!”
Delegates in Attendance
1. H. E Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State—–Afenifere 2. Chief Nnia Nwodo Former President-General, Ohanaeze. 3. Hon Bassey Ekefre Deputy National Chairman, Pandef 4. Prince Okey Nwadinobi. Deputy President-General 5. Chief Sola Ebiseni Secretary General, Afenifere. 6. Mr Luka Binnyat 7. National Publicity Secretary, Middle Belt Forum. 8. H.E Emeka Sibeudu Secretary-General, Ohanaeze. 9. Mark Jacob Nzamah Esq, National Legal Adviser, Middle Belt Forum. 10. Engr Bekinbo Dagogo-Jack. National Secretary, Pandef. 11. Emmanuel Alamu National Organising Secretary, Middle Belt Forum. Signed: 1. Afenifere -HRM Oba Oladipo Olaitan 2. Middle Belt Forum -Dr. Bitrus Pogu 3. Ohanaeze Ndigbo World-Wide -Senator John Azuta-Mbata 4. PANDEF…Amb. Godknows Igali.
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