Ndume to Tinubu: Back your security emergency declaration with action against insurgency

Ali Ndume, former senate leader, has called on President Bola Tinubu to back his recent security emergency declarations with sustained and coordinated actions against rising insurgency in the country.

On November 26, 2025, President Tinubu declared a national security emergency following multiple terrorist attacks in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger states, which led to the abduction of over 350 people in just a few days.

He ordered additional recruitment into the military and directed that police officers attached to very important personalities (VIPs) be redeployed to increase boots on the ground in the most affected regions.

Tinubu also said forest guards would be deployed to “flush out the terrorists and bandits lurking in our forests,” adding that “there will be no more hiding places for agents of evil.”

An investigation by TheCable in February 2026 revealed that just over two months after the president’s declaration, the so-called “agents of evil” had killed more than 316 civilians across 15 states.

According to the report, about 112 persons were killed within 48 hours in early February, with 75 of them murdered in the Nuku and Woro communities in the Kaiama LGA of Kwara state.

However, attacks have continued since then as reports indicate suspected Boko Haram terrorists abducted more than 300 residents during a deadly assault on Ngoshe community in Gwoza LGA of Borno on Wednesday.

In a statement on Sunday, Ndume expressed sadness over the Borno attack, urging the president to “walk his talks” on security.

Ndume, who represents the affected community in the senate, asked the president to mandate security forces to carry out consistent clearance operations in Lake Chad, the Sambisa Forest, and the Mandara Mountains, areas he identified as havens for insurgents.

He also called on Tinubu to hold regular briefings to keep Nigerians informed on efforts to combat banditry and insurgency in the north.

“Government should walk its talks on emergency by engaging in coordinated and sustainable attacks on the targets, especially in the North East,” the statement reads.

“They should carry out consistent clearance operations in Lake Chad, Sambisa Forest, and the Mandara because the recent attacks were well coordinated by the insurgents.”

The senator representing Borno south said since the president has declared a state of emergency, he should have a situation room at the State House, which should be used to brief Nigerians directly on the security situations consistently.

“They want to hear from him from time to time. Nigeria also deserves an air components centre in the three geo-political zones in the north with attack helicopters deployed to the areas,” Ndume said.

The lawmaker commended the military for its intervention in Ngoshe, even though he said the efforts “came late”.

He also reiterated his call for frontloading the budgets of security agencies to fast-track the procurement of arms and ammunition.

He expressed concern over current budgetary allocations given the sophistication of weapons available to terrorist groups in the country.

“The Nigerian Army budget is insignificant compared to what is needed—it’s less than 10% of the overall budget,” he said.

The army budget should be frontloaded. The president should ensure that the Nigerian security agencies’ budgets are frontloaded.

“Even if we can’t purchase attack helicopters outright, we should consider hiring them to deploy in blackspot areas.”