The Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, has called on President Tinubu to declare a nationwide state of emergency on security, backed by a raft of extraordinary measures.
Security fears have spiked in the past two weeks following incidents, including the killing of an Army Brigadier General, Musa Uba, and the abduction of over 300 pupils in Niger and Kebbi states and the abduction of 38 worshippers of the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, who have now been released.
In a statement on Monday, Akinyemi called for ‘decisive, coordinated and courageous” steps, including suspending the military retirement laws mandating exit after 35 years of service or upon attaining the age of 60, and recalling recently retired officers.
The former Minister of External Affairs argued that bringing back experienced officers should form part of a broader strategy to strengthen military presence across the country in response to rising insecurity.
He added that the recall should be followed by a nationwide, large-scale recruitment drive into the Nigerian Armed Forces.
He said, ‘I respectfully call on His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to suspend the enforcement of the Armed Forces Act 2004 provision—an inherited British-era policy—that mandates the retirement of military personnel after 35 years of service or upon attaining 60 years of age.
‘History provides clear precedents for such a step. During the Second World War, when the British required additional boots on the ground, the same law was temporarily set aside. Similarly, during Nigeria’s Civil War, these retirement provisions were relaxed to meet urgent national security needs. Today, our nation again finds itself in a situation that requires exceptional measures. Nigeria urgently needs a strengthened military presence to confront escalating insecurity and safeguard our sovereignty.
‘In addition, I call on the President to authorise a nationwide, large-scale recruitment drive into the Nigerian Armed Forces, ensuring that every state and region is properly garrisoned and adequately secured. This is essential to restoring confidence, stability, and territorial control across the federation. I further recommend that the President declare a nationwide state of emergency’.
As part of the proposed state of emergency, Akinyemi argued that constitutional immunity for governors should be suspended so they can be held accountable if terrorist groups continue to operate freely in their domains.
He added that states where terrorism persists may, if necessary, be placed under temporary military administration.
Akinyemi said, ‘During this period, constitutional immunity for governors should be suspended so that any governor under whose jurisdiction terrorist groups operate freely and with impunity can be held accountable. ‘Where necessary, such a state may be temporarily placed under military administration to restore order and protect citizens’.
The former NIIA Director-General also urged Tinubu to establish a military tribunal to prosecute terrorists and their collaborators.
‘Finally, I call on President Tinubu to establish a military tribunal to try terrorists and their confirmed collaborators. Where guilt is established beyond a reasonable doubt, the tribunal should be empowered to impose the maximum penalty under the law: the death penalty.
‘Nigeria must not tolerate a situation in which members of terrorist organisations freely appear at social gatherings armed and unchallenged. Our nation’s security demands decisive, coordinated and courageous action’, Akinyemi said.
