Declare Constitutional State of Emergency in Benue, Borno, Plateau to End Killings, Akande Urges Tinubu

Veteran journalist and public affairs analyst, Laolu Akande, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately declare a constitutional State of Emergency in Nigeria’s frontline killing fields—Benue, Borno, and Plateau States—amid the worsening wave of violence ravaging communities. Speaking on the My Take segment of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television on […]

Veteran journalist and public affairs analyst, Laolu Akande, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately declare a constitutional State of Emergency in Nigeria’s frontline killing fields—Benue, Borno, and Plateau States—amid the worsening wave of violence ravaging communities.

Speaking on the My Take segment of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television on Friday, Akande said recent developments in the security architecture, including the appointment of a new Minister of Defence, General Chris Gwabin Musa (rtd), show that the President is beginning to take decisive steps.
According to him, the appointment is a strong signal of intent.

He said, “The President may consider declaring an outright and constitutional State of Emergency in frontline states of the killings—Benue, Borno, and Plateau in particular. If the President declared a State of Emergency in Rivers where lives were not even lost, then there is ample reason to act decisively and resolutely in those states.”

He added, “A national security emergency has been announced and a new Defence Minister has been appointed. What the appointment of Gen. Chris Gwabin Musa means is President BAT is serious about fighting insecurity. And we must commend him and ask that he goes all the way, remaining resolute until we end this persistent insecurity in the land.”
While commending the President, Akande insisted that Tinubu must “do more” because insecurity remains widespread and many Nigerians—including children—are still in captivity.
“There is perpetual fear among our people and the national reputation of our dearly beloved country remains at stake,” he said.
He explained that the goal of such a declaration would be to give security agencies—especially the military and police—the operational space needed to decisively crush terrorist networks and violent actors.
“The purpose of the declaration is to afford our security agencies… space to crush the terrorists and merchants of violence, including their sponsors.”
Akande also drew attention to the increasing involvement of the United States in addressing the violence, saying America’s recent actions show the gravity of the situation.
“In the first three days of December the Americans have been active on a daily basis regarding the Nigerian killings,” he noted.
He cited multiple engagements:
• Monday, December 1: The US State Department met with Nigerian-American leaders to create a direct line of communication on the killings.
• Tuesday: Another congressional briefing was held in the US Congress on the crisis.
• Wednesday: The US Secretary of State announced visa bans on Nigerians supporting or sympathising with perpetrators of violence.
“So the Americans are not relenting on this matter. We too shouldn’t!” Akande declared.
Akande emphasised that the most critical action President Tinubu must take is ending all forms of negotiation or payments to bandits.
“The most important thing the President needs to do, and show us that he can do it, is to end any policy direction that supports paying the bandits or negotiating with them without first capturing them and outrightly defeating them.”
He also urged governors to stop “cavorting with criminals” and stressed that controversial clerics such as Sheikh Gumi should be cautioned.
Akande further advised the President to engage key traditional and religious leaders in northern Nigeria to address violent rhetoric from some clerics contributing to the tensions.
Akande expressed strong support for President Tinubu, urging him to take bold, irreversible steps to restore national security.
“We have crossed the Rubicon, Mr. President, and there should be no going back. We are with you on this, but please go all the way!”
Speaking further, he expressed condolence over the passage of the grandson of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Segun. He said, “Bro Segun who passed away recently was a decent human being who touched many lives including moi with his generosity of spirit.
“But one of his greatest gifts to humanity was how he used his heritage to do something for the future of Nigeria while diligently serving under at least 4 presidential administrations. He pushed the Zero oil plan with passion and purpose in his work as the head of the Export Promotion Council. He was keen about Nigeria, his family and related with everyone with humility despite his illustrious pedigree. He served in his time with a firm resolve, lived his life to the fullest and his memory is blessed indeed,” he said.