The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has raised alarm over what it described as “the growing impunity and disturbing ease with which terrorists and bandits are carrying out mass kidnappings across Nigeria, especially the abduction of school children in recent weeks.”
A joint statement issued by Oba Oladipo Olaitan, Leader, Afenifere; Dr Bitrus Pogu, President, Middle Belt Forum; Senator John Azuta-Mbata, President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; and Ambassador Godknows Igali, National Chairman, PANDEF, on Wednesday and made available to DAILY POST said, “It appears that the Nigerian political leadership is becoming increasingly consumed by politics and the struggle for power ahead of the 2027 general elections, while the nation sinks deeper into chaos, poverty, fear and insecurity.”
Every Nigerian citizen, especially innocent children, according to the statement, has a constitutional right to protection by the state, lamenting that this responsibility is now being increasingly neglected.
It observed, “On May 15, 2026, armed bandits attacked two schools in Ahoro-Esinle, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and kidnapped more than 40 pupils and seven teachers before beheading Mr Michael Oyedoku, a mathematics teacher.”
On the same day, May 15, 2026, it stated that Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists invaded Mussa community in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Southern Borno and abducted about 42 school children.
“Earlier, on April 27, 2026, gunmen attacked an Islamic orphanage in Lokoja, Kogi State, abducting 23 pupils and staff members,” it explained.
SMBLF expressed delight at the Sunday return of 360 hostages abducted from Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area in Southern Borno, describing it as an outstanding achievement and stating that it remains possible to rescue all other citizens still held by criminal elements, provided the right environment is created.
The statement lamented that the situation remains grim in Southern Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Niger and Kwara states, as hundreds of innocent citizens are still being held hostage in various bandit and terrorist camps.
According to the statement, “Social media platforms are now flooded daily with horrifying images and videos showing terrorists and bandits beheading innocent citizens and inflicting terrible cruelty on captives whose families cannot pay ransom.”
It observed that large portions of Nigerian territory in the North-West, Middle Belt and North-East are now effectively under the control or influence of terrorists and bandits, stressing that even in parts of the South-West, several once-thriving communities have been deserted as frightened residents flee repeated attacks and kidnappings.
It opined that millions of Nigerians are now internally displaced persons, living in hunger, uncertainty and trauma in camps or with relatives across the country, while many farming communities have been abandoned, worsening food shortages, inflation and poverty.
Despite this frightening national emergency, the statement alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his family and governors appear more focused on political calculations surrounding the 2027 elections.
“It is for this reason that SMBLF is deeply disturbed by widespread media reports alleging that about N800 billion was generated by governors of states controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 re-election campaign of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” SMBLF lamented.
It noted that, according to the allegations, governors under the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) allegedly agreed that N1 billion would be deducted monthly from their states’ allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), adding that the funds were reportedly placed under an arrangement known as the “Renewed Hope Agenda” (RHA).
It added, “Equally troubling is the growing pattern of huge sums in public donations, distributions of expensive vehicles, cash gifts, empowerment programmes and other largesse by First Lady Remi Tinubu.”
The statement observed that she holds no constitutional or executive office in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, saying that her lavish and unrestrained activities, allegedly in pursuit of political mileage for the President ahead of the 2027 general elections, are a source of concern to SMBLF.
The SMBLF therefore demanded that the EFCC, ICPC, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit and all relevant anti-corruption agencies immediately launch an independent investigation into the alleged N800 billion fund.
It said the Federal Government must immediately declare a comprehensive national security emergency and substantially increase funding, equipment and welfare support for the armed forces, police, intelligence agencies and other security services battling terrorism and banditry.
“The Federal and State governments must provide permanent security presence in vulnerable communities, schools, highways and farming areas to guarantee the safe return of displaced persons and restore public confidence.
“The government must urgently establish a special intervention fund for internally displaced persons to provide food, shelter, healthcare, education and rehabilitation for millions of victims of terrorism and banditry.
“Special courts should be established for the speedy trial of terrorism, kidnapping and banditry cases to ensure that arrested criminals face swift justice,” the statement prayed.
