By Fatima Mukhtar
Amid rising insecurity across parts of Nigeria, some retired military generals have thrown their weight behind calls for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in states worst hit by terrorism and banditry.
The former top military officers, according to reports, expressed concern over the worsening security situation, especially in the North-West and North-East, where Boko Haram insurgents and armed bandits continue to launch deadly attacks on communities, security formations, and travellers.
They argued that the declaration of a state of emergency would allow government to deploy special military operations with fewer bureaucratic limitations and faster decision-making processes. The generals maintained that the step could restore public confidence and signal strong political will to confront insecurity head-on.
Speaking with The Punch, some of the retired officers said only extraordinary measures could address the scale of the current crisis. They emphasized that despite ongoing military operations, terrorists and criminal gangs remain emboldened, attacking villages, kidnapping citizens, and targeting security personnel.
One of the generals reportedly noted that the situation has gone beyond routine military response, insisting that a temporary emergency rule in affected states could facilitate massive deployment of troops, strengthen intelligence gathering, and ensure adequate funding for counterterrorism efforts.
However, other security analysts and political observers have cautioned that a state of emergency must be approached carefully to avoid undermining democratic institutions. They warned that such declarations, if not properly managed, could be abused or politicized.
Nigeria has in the past declared states of emergency in parts of the North-East during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency. Similar calls are now resurfacing amid renewed attacks in Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, and parts of Borno States.
The retired generals also urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to review the country’s security architecture, invest more in modern equipment, improve troop welfare, and strengthen collaboration among security agencies.
As Nigerians continue to demand urgent solutions to the country’s insecurity, the call for emergency measures has once again brought to the fore the balance between national security and democratic governance.
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