Declaration Of Security Emergency Not Answer To Banditry, Stakeholders Tell CAN, Others

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…Say Senate’s Proposed Security Summit Not Useful
…Want Proper Coordination Of Security Organs, Arrest Of Terror Financiers
…Apostolic Round Table Urges Churches To Suspend Night Programmes

LAGOS  – Dr Victor Mathew, a cler­ic, security expert and human rights promoter, has written off the sen­ate’s recent proposal for a secu­rity summit, saying that what is needed now are not talk shops but actions and legislations to deal with insecurity as the situation is getting out of hand.

Dr Mathew, Executive Director, Kingdom Advocacy Network (KAN) and CEO, Nextstep Security Organ­isation. stated: “I will start with the Senate hinting on having another Security Summit.

“What is needed now is not talk shops, but actions and legislations to deal with insecurity. The unitary security architecture as it is right now cannot deal with insecurity, es­pecially violent crimes like kidnap­ping and terrorism.

“The Senate should fast track creation of State Police and also allow vigilantes and hunters to possess sophisticated weapons to confront terrorism and other violent crimes.”

Dr Mathew, Lead Pastor, Di­vine Channel Ministries Inter­national, Ikeja, Lagos, added: “It is a good idea that the Christian Association of Nigeria has called for a state of emergency because whether we like it or not, Nigeria is in a state of war.”

It would be recalled that the CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the call last Tuesday in Abuja during the presentation of a communiqué issued at the end of the associa­tion’s National Church Denomi­national Leaders’ Summit 2026.

He continues: “The govern­ment is obviously overwhelmed by the situation and seems to have run out of ideas on how to deal with insecurity.

“The call for a state of emer­gency is apt at this moment, but I don’t think that will solve the problem. The problem is more complex and needs much more to be done.

“The government must mus­ter the political will to go after godfathers, sponsors and finan­ciers of insecurity. Our security agencies, especially the Depart­ment of State Service (DSS), have to do more in getting intelligence on the people behind this insecu­rity.

“As a security practitioner, I have always advocated for the deployment of advanced tech­nology like drones, etc. We have to seek help from countries like Israel, etc, to improve on our fight against insecurity.

“In summary, CAN’s call for a state of emergency is on point, but the Senate should forget any summit and focus on legislations that will help fight insecurity.”

ACTIONABLE PROPOSALS NEEDED

Barrister Olalekan Festus Ojo, a Lagos-based human rights lawyer and an advocate of social justice and good governance, said the call by the Christian Associa­tion of Nigeria (CAN) for a state of emergency on insecurity and the Senate’s proposal to convene another security summit are both well-intentioned responses to a challenge that has contin­ued to threaten Nigeria’s unity, economic growth, and social stability.

Barrister Ojo, Managing Partner, Platinum & Taylor Hill LP, one of the nation’s popular law firms, stated: “However, the effectiveness of either proposal will depend largely on imple­mentation, rather than mere declaration.

“A state of emergency on in­security, if properly conceptual­ised, could signal the seriousness of the government in addressing the escalating threats posed by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence.

“It may facilitate the mobil­isation of resources, improve inter-agency coordination, and fast-track critical security inter­ventions.

“Nevertheless, it must be ap­proached within the confines of the Constitution and should not become a basis for undermining civil liberties or democratic in­stitutions.

“Similarly, a security summit can serve as a valuable platform for stakeholders to review exist­ing strategies, identify gaps, and recommend practical solutions.

“However, Nigeria has wit­nessed several conferences and summits over the years whose recommendations were never fully implemented.

“Another summit will only be meaningful if it produces action­able outcomes backed by political will and measurable timelines.

“The country’s security chal­lenges require a comprehensive and multi-dimensional approach. Beyond military operations, at­tention must be given to intelli­gence gathering, community po­licing, judicial efficiency, youth employment, border security, and the prosecution of those fi­nancing criminal activities.

“Ultimately, neither a state of emergency, nor a security sum­mit should be viewed as a magic wand. What Nigeria urgently needs is decisive leadership, in­stitutional accountability, and sustained commitment to imple­menting security policies.

“Without these, even the no­blest proposals may yield little tangible improvement in the na­tion’s security situation.”

Professor John Ebhomien, an economist and finance expert, said the proposals made by the Christian Association of Nigeria calling for the declaration of a state of emergency on insecuri­ty in the country and the Senate on security summit are welcome developments.

Ebhomien, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), stated: “Both proposals can help, but neither alone can fix Nige­ria’s security crisis without fol­low-through.

“CAN’s ‘state of emergency’ call has potential, if it means emergency funding, faster rules of engagement, and coordinated federal-state action.

“It could break bureaucratic delays and prioritise resources to hotspots like the Northwest and Northcentral.

“The risk is that ‘emergency’ often becomes symbolic in Nige­ria – more rhetoric than restruc­turing. If it is just a declaration without troop redeployment, in­telligence reform, and account­ability, impact will be limited.

“Senate security summit is useful for diagnosis and con­sensus. Previous summits have generated good recommenda­tions on community policing, forest policing, and inter-agency coordination.

“The weakness is implemen­tation. Many resolutions from past summits were not funded or executed.

“The bottom line is that a state of emergency can create urgency and resources, while a summit can build policy consensus.

“Real change will depend on political will to fund reforms, prosecute enablers, and empow­er local security actors. Without execution, both risk being more talk than action.”

Bishop Herbert Ekechukwu, a church overseer and economist, stated: “What CAN’s June 2, 2026 communiqué is demanding are: Immediate federal government declaration of security emergen­cy nationwide; Comprehensive review of security architecture – better intelligence, inter agen­cy cooperation, operational ef­fectiveness and accountability, state police – decentralisation of security structures and uncon­ditional release of abductees/ compensation/rehabilitation for victims.

POTENTIAL OF SECURITY EMER­GENCY

Dr Ekechukwu also stated that the association also called for a three-day national mourning, from June 12- 14 2026 with black Sunday.

Ekechukwu noted that the Nigerian Senate has been float­ing security summits as a way to get stakeholders – military, police, state governors, traditional rul­ers, and CSOs to deliberate on security matters.

He stressed: “CAN’s call for a state of emergency on insecuri­ty will succeed in creating a state of urgency and arousing public mandate with the vast Christian population of 60% of the popula­tion of Nigeria being Christians.

“CAN, by its call, will raise the moral pressure and mobilise the citizens for the three days of national mourning.

“Senate can convert pressure into law by using the summit to draft an emergency security funding bill, fast track consti­tutional amendment for state police.

“CAN’s state of emergency call has a moral weight. The Sen­ate Summit is a potential toolbox. None can end insecurity.

“Potentials are highest if CAN’s pressure forces the Senate Summit to produce binding time­lines, fundings and constitutional action on state police, instead of another communiqué.”

Julius Adegunna, a La­gos-based media executive, stat­ed: “The current state of inse­curity in Nigeria has become a subject of concern to everybody.

“It is very unfortunate that Ni­geria’s political leaders do not see it the way other Nigerians see it.

“The Senate needs not to wait till this embarrassing state of things before holding their brand of Security Summit.

“CAN leaders have done well by calling for a state of emergen­cy security wise. What I think the Nigerian government needs to do right now is to enforce the political will to summarily arrest the situation effectively.

“The sponsors of insecurity in Nigeria, who are allegedly known to those in the corridors of power, should be summoned, arrest their field agents, if they are not withdrawn, and prose­cute them as appropriate.

“All these require political will on the part of the government, without which the situation will remain the same, if it would not be worse.”

Tola Oresanwo, an activist, said that while CAN’s call for a state of emergency on insecuri­ty reflects the urgency of Nige­ria’s security challenges, such a measure alone may not produce lasting results without clear im­plementation strategies, account­ability, and adequate funding.

Oresanwo, Director, Admin­istration and Programmes, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), stat­ed: “Likewise, another security summit can be useful, if it moves beyond discussions and leads to concrete actions, timelines, and measurable outcomes.

“Nigeria has held several se­curity meetings in the past, yet insecurity persists.

“The real solution lies in strengthening intelligence gath­ering, improving inter-agency coordination, equipping securi­ty personnel, addressing the so­cio-economic drivers of crime, and ensuring that recommenda­tions from previous summits are effectively implemented.”

CESSATION OF NIGHT PRO­GRAMMES

Meanwhile, following the up­surge in terrorist activities, kill­ings and abduction of Christians in churches during worship, The Apostolic Roundtable (ART), a convention of apostolic leaders from all walks of life, has urged churches and religious leaders to suspend vigils for now.

It also called for stoppage of political campaigns to ensure that Nigerians are not killed in large numbers during such cam­paigns and rallies.

The Apostolic Round Table (ART), in a statement issued on Saturday titled ‘State Of The Na­tion Apostolic Advisory To The Church In Nigeria’, observed with deep concern the worsen­ing security situation across the nation.

ART, in the statement dated June 6, 2026 and signed by its Convener, Apostle Dr Bolaji O. Akinyemi, lamented that recent events, particularly the increas­ing incidents of abductions, at­tacks on communities, attacks on educational institutions, and the growing atmosphere of fear across many parts of Nigeria, had compelled it to speak with clarity, courage, and responsi­bility.

The statement, specifically ad­dressed to the Fathers and Moth­ers of Faith, Church Leaders, Christian Organisations, Chris­tian Educational Institutions, and the Entire Body of Christ in Nigeria, commended the leader­ship of churches and institutions that had begun to take proactive measures to safeguard lives.

It stressed that the recent decision by some ministries to review the conduct of night activities was not a sign of fear, but a demonstration of wisdom, stressing that the Church must remember that faith and wisdom are not enemies.

Making Biblical references, it stressed that the Lord enjoined the disciples to be as wise as the serpent and harmless as a dove, noting, “The God we serve is not only the God of miracles; He is also the God of intelligence, strat­egy, foresight, and preservation.”

It also recalled when the life of Baby Jesus Christ was in dan­ger, the Lord instructed Joseph to take measures that led to the preservation of His life.

The ART stressed: “The Church in Nigeria must there­fore acknowledge a painful real­ity: we cannot continue to spiri­tualise security challenges while neglecting practical responses.

“The tragedy in Ogbomosho and similar incidents across the nation stand before God and be­fore history as reminders that prayer without corresponding wisdom can expose lives unnec­essarily.

“This is not a time for pro­paganda. This is not a time for political correctness. This is not a time for statistical gymnastics designed to minimise the pain of citizens. This is a time for honest assessment, strategic action, and national responsibility.”

It continued: “Accordingly, the Apostolic Round Table issues the following advisory: Temporary Suspension of Night Vigils: We advise all churches across Nige­ria to temporarily suspend night vigils, overnight programmes, and activities that require mem­bers to travel during vulnerable hours until a comprehensive re­view of local security conditions is undertaken.

“Where necessary, such pro­grammes should be converted into evening services, ending at reasonable hours that guarantee the safety of worshippers. The preservation of life is a Kingdom responsibility.

“Immediate Review of Church Security Structures: Every church should establish and review security protocols covering: Access control, sur­veillance systems, emergency response procedures; volunteer security teams, coordination with local security agencies, and transportation arrangements for members. Every assembly should conduct a security audit without delay.”

The ART also called for na­tional review of school security, stressing, “We call upon federal and state governments to imme­diately review security arrange­ments around all educational institutions.

“Where adequate security cannot be guaranteed, precau­tionary closure and restructur­ing measures should be consid­ered until the safety of pupils, students, teachers, and adminis­trators can be assured. No nation should gamble with the lives of its children.”