Demands State of Emergency
By Ajewole Joshua|ABNews|November 18, 2025
A legal practitioner, Barrister Femi Olanrewaju, has raised fresh concerns over the worsening insecurity in Nigeria, saying the persistent wave of attacks, kidnappings, and killings across the country has placed citizens in a constant state of fear.
In a strongly worded statement, Olanrewaju described the recent abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State as another painful reminder of the government’s inability to safeguard its people. He stressed that as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu bears the ultimate responsibility for the nation’s security.
According to him, the inefficiency of security agencies reflects a deeper leadership problem. He noted that many emergency distress calls from Nigerians are ignored, with security responders often citing lack of fuel and inadequate resources as reasons for their inability to act. He lamented the contrast between the swift response to fire outbreaks and the sluggish reaction to violent crimes, describing it as a troubling sign of misplaced priorities.
Olanrewaju further criticised what he called the government’s failure to address the root causes of insecurity, insisting that the unchecked flow of illicit weapons, porous borders, and alleged negotiations with terrorists and bandits have emboldened criminal groups.
While acknowledging that security personnel are not without blame, he maintained that many officers operate under difficult conditions, including poor intelligence, inadequate equipment, and widespread corruption. He described the underpayment of security operatives as “a national scandal” that continues to dampen morale.
He emphasised that protecting lives and property remains the President’s primary constitutional duty; one he believes has not been effectively fulfilled. Olanrewaju therefore urged President Tinubu to take full ownership of the situation and declare a state of emergency on insecurity.
He called for a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s intelligence-gathering system, insisting that sponsors of terrorism and banditry must be fished out and prosecuted. He also urged the President to hold his appointees accountable and deploy all necessary resources to end the crisis.
“The time for excuses is over,” Olanrewaju said. “Nigerians will no longer accept the status quo. The President must act decisively to restore peace and stability, or risk deeper destabilisation of the country.”
